WB^^iSKiivS'".'^ 




BoQk-;:B ^ M -^ 



)83, 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM 



A POEM. 



IN TWELVE BOOKS. 



BY AGNES BULMER 



Will it not nnicli please us, with an eye of faith to behold our Re- 
deemer bitting in glorious exultation at God's right hand, govern- 
ing the world for the benefit of the Church ? Barrow. 

To trace the gradual openings of the Christian scheme, through the 
various dispensations of God to the Church, may be an important 
part of celestial happiness. Doddridge. 



NEW- YORK 



PUBiJSHED BY B. WAUGH AND T. MASON, 

For the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Conference Office, 
No. 14 Crosby-street. 




CONTEIVTS. 



Introductorv Stanzas, ,.,.,. . .. xvi 

Book L — Ori^iirial beauty, pcrfco,l,i(»ji, und )i;i)ipirie,;is of 
the earth, and its inliultituritH. ChunjM; vAYv.cU-A by the 
fall. — Disorder and (inrnity introduced into creation. — iVJan 
(;ut oil' from communion witfi (Uni, and thf; celestial world. 
— Condemn(!d, on account of his titantigression, to labour, 
sorrow, and death. — Under these afliectinj^ circurniitances, 
is cheered by the proraiae of a JJeliverer. — This first pro- 
mise, a mysterious intimation of tlui design of Jehovah, to 
save the world by a Divine incarnate l{,edeemer. — Exulta- 
tion of Satan, Sir), and Death, over the successful issue of 
diabolic ari,ificc.- — Metapliorof the oak. — Invocation to ce- 
lestial spirits. — Unsearchalihi depths of redeeming love. — 
Progress of sin. — Cain and Abel.— Apostroplie to Deatli.— 
'I'he empire of sin still more extended. — Noah. — Terrors 
of th<; flood,— Gratitude and devotion of the patriarchal 
family on their deliverance, — Renewal of Jehovah's cove- 
nant.—- The. rainbow. — Early reappearance of depravity 
after the flood. — Idolatry. — Truths of primitive revelation 
taught by Noah, — Gonfusioji of tongues, —Dispersion of 
the liuman family. — Assyria. — Egypt. — Selection and pre- 
paration of instr uments, the work of Divine wisdom, — Call 

of Abraham, 1 lis faith and obedience, — Sacrifice of Isaac, 

an expressive type of the riullering Redeemer 19 

Book II, — Gradual developement of the Divine purpose 
in the redemption of the world. -God's interposition in 
behalf of the posterity of" Abraham, wlien groaning under 
the bondage of Egypt.- -iVloses.- -tl is sojourn in the de- 
sert. — Divinely mspired to transmit the record of the cre^ 
ation, and early history of the world. — Jehovah manifest- 
ed to him in the burning bush.- —Invested wuJi Divmeand 
mn-aculous power to effect the deliverance of Israel. — Pas- 
sage of the Red Sea. — Hymn of praise for the destruction 
of Pharaoh and the Egyptian host. — God, in hisjuetice, 



X CONTENTS. 

as in his mercy, inscrutable. — Progress of Israel under tlie 
conduct of the cloud and fire. — Mount Sinai. — The law, 
an exhibition of the Divine character, the original rule of 
holiness to all intelligent natures. — Its republication de- 
signed to show man his obliquity, and to make him feel 
his weakness. — Its essence. Love. — The ceremonial eco- 
nomy revealed to Moses in the mount, a representative 
system, shadowing forth the great Sacrifice, that was in 
due time to be offered up for the redemption of the world. 
— Israel a type of the Gospel Church. — The tabernacle, 
and all its services, of the Incarnation and offices of Christ. 
— The march through the wilderness. — Moab. — Balak. — 
Balaam. — His prophecy. — Adjuration of demons. ... 44 

Book III.~Retrospection of past dangers and deliver- 
ances. — Israel settled in the land of Canaan, adopted as 
the visible Church, and made the depositaries of the Di- 
vine Covenant. — The Prophets. — An order of inspired 
men, sent to instruct the Israelites in the will of God on 
special occasions ; to illustrate the types and shadows of 
the Mosaic economy; and gradually to develope the de- 
sign of God in the redemption of the world by a Divine, 
incarnate, suffering Messiah. — Samuel. — His early piety, 
and call to the prophetic office. — His zeal and probity in 
the discharge of the duties of his office as Judge in Israel. 
— The people require a king. — Saul raised to the throne. 
— His impiety and rejection. — Samuel's death. — Saul's 
visit to Endor. — Samuel's appearance, and annunciation 
of the defeat of^srael, and the death of Saul and his sons. 
—Scriptural instruction conveyed by example. — ^Varied 
gifts and characters of the prophets. — Elijah. — His power 
with God by prayer. — Divine manifestation made to him 
in Mount Horeb. — His intercourse with Elisha. — His 
translation. — Elisha, consecrated by the Spirit, his suc- 
cessor in the prophetic office 73 

Book IV. — Varied forms of prophetic inspiration all de- 
rived from the same Divine Source, and modified for the 
edification of the Church. — Messiah's sufferings and glory 
the great subjects of the word of prophecy. — David one of 
the most eminent of the prophets. — His exquisite powers 
as a divine poet and musician. — These gifts communicated 
to man by his Creator to harmonize and elevate his mind. 



CONTENTS^ XI 

— Guiit incurred by their debasement to unholy purposes. 
— The Psalmist's early occupations. — His victory over 
Goliah, — Envy. — DiscipUned by adversity. — Exalted at 
length to the throne of Israel. — His circumstantial and va- 
ried predictions of Messiah and his kingdom. — Testimo- 
nies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekicl to the same Divine 
Person. — Judali's captivity. — Daniel.~-His patriotism and 
prophecies. — United testimonies of the minor prophets. — • 
Universal establishment and triumph of the Gospel the 
general scope of the word of prophecy. — Its result a glo- 
rious and peaceful state of the Church. — Present indica- 
tions of the approach of that blessed period. — Future glory 
reserved for the prophets, who, while on earth, understood 
but imperfectly the subjects of their own predictions 87 

Book V. — Babylon brought to desolation by the Divine 
judgments. — Its destruction the signal for the deliverance 
of the ancient Church from captivity. — Zion's song of 
praise for the righteous retribution of Jehovah, in requir- 
ing of her oppressors the blood shed in Jerusalem, and in 
exacting vengeance for the destruction of his temple, — 
Summons to the nations to assemble for the accomplish- 
ment of the purpose of Divine justice on the devoted city. 
— God's awful denunciations respecting it. — He who con- 
trols the stormy elements, and employs them as his in- 
struments, marshalled the armies of Cyrus, and gave suc- 
cess to the unwonted means by which he obtained pos- 
session of Babylon. — The nocturnal feast. — Belshazzar. — 
Daniel. — Interpretation of the mysterious writing, and 
denunciation of Divine wrath.— Immediate execution of 
portended judgment by the midnight entrance of the Per- 
sian armies, and the death of the impious king. — Ode. — 
Exultation of earth and hell over the fall of Babylon 115 

Book VI. — God, eternal, self-existent, infinite, ineffa- 
ble.— The Fountain of being. — His nature and counsels 
inscrutable. — His image in creation obliterated by sin. — 
Dark and desolate condition of man. — Incarnation of the 
Son of God, for the manifestation of the Divine character, 
and the redemption of the world. — Jesus Christ came with- 
out the insignia of earthly grandeur, to establish a spiri- 
tual kingdom, which shall silently and gradually increase, 
until it subjugates the kingdoms of this world, — Angels 

1* 



Xll CONTENTS. 

celebrate the Saviour's birth. — ^Worship of the Magi. — In- 
troductory ministry of the Baptist. — Messiah's youth, bap- 
tism, fasting, temptation. — Commencement of his ministry 
in the synagogue at Nazareth. — Impiety of the Jews. 
— Their expectations of a secular kingdom. — Call of the 
disciples. — Doctrines taught by Christ. — God a Spirit. — 
Immortality of the soul — Resurrection of the body. — Judg- 
ment. — Providence. — Divine law explained, enforced, ful- 
filled. — Miracles wrought.— Sins forgiven. — Transfigura- 
tion. — Announcement of approaching sufierings. — Solem- 
nity of the subject. — The Passion. — The Crucifixion. — 
Portentous consequences. — Deliverance of mankind from 
the power of hell and death. — The Resurrection. — Mary 
Magdalene. — Angels. — Charge to the disciples. — Ascen- 
sion. — Mediatorial reign. — Advancement of Messiah's 
kingdom, under the similitude of a tree 129 

Book VIL— Salvation, the great subject and end of the 
Gospel, — Its ineffable value only fully estimated by Him 
from whom it flows.— Its nature and results in time and in 
eternity. — Ascription of praise from all creatures to Christ, 
its Author. — The disciples, baptized with the Holy Ghost, 
and endowed with miraculous gifts, are sent forth to preach 
the Gospel to the world. — Their diverse talents divinely 
harmonized, and adapted to the several spheres of action 
assigned them by Christ. — Sketch of the apostolic charac- 
ter and ministry. — The Gospel call given to the Gentiles, 
after long desertion, on account of their perverseness and 
idolatry. — Sovereignty of God inscrutable. — St. Paul, an 
instrument chosen, and specially prepared by Divine wis- 
dom to evangelize the heathen world. — His zealous and 
extensive labours. — Athens. — Antioch. — Grove of Daph- 
ne, — Serpent worship. — Oracles silenced on the reception 
of the Gospel. — Parched deserts of Paganism refreshed by 
the waters of life. — Rome. — The apostle's escape from 
shipwreck, and appearance before Cesar. — His martyr- 
dom. — Establishment of the Church. — Divine appoint* 
ment of its ministry. — Ordinances. — Laws. — Inspiration 
of the apostles to complete the volume of revelation, by 
the sacred records of the New Testament 171 

Book VIII. — Portents of the fall of Jerusalem. — Awful 
nature of an appeal to Heaven.— The obstinate rejection 



CONTENTS. Xm 

of Messiah by the Jews avenged, and their fearful impre- 
cation fulfilled in the destruction of their city and temple, 
and in their own unparalleled suiferings. — God's especial 
care over his people, and his providential interpositions 
for their deliverance in seasons of general calamity and 
judgment. — The dissolution of the Jewish polity, and con- 
sequent abolition of the Mosaic ritual, a dispensation of 
mercy, as well as of justice; removing entirely the typical 
-and representative system, and thus making room for the 
reality which it prefigured. — The glory, fall, and restora- 
tion of Jerusalem. — An ode.— Part I. Righteousness and 
Peace its early designation under the reign of Meichise* 
dek. — The abode of the Patriarchs. — Visited by angels, 
especially the Angel of the Covenant, the Leader and King 
of Israel.- — Its regal glory. — Solomon's temple. — The Pro- 
phets.-^The Law. — God manifest in the flesh. — Its fall, 
under the stroke of Divine wrath. — Part II. Prophetic 
annunciation of the renewed glory and prosperity of Jeru- 
salem, on the repentance of Israel, and their embracing 
Christ as the Messiah , 199 

Book IX.— The extirpation of the Jewish polity followed 
by the downfall of Paganism, on the conversion of the Ro- 
man emperors to the faith of the Gospel. — Idolatry intro- 
duced into the world by the arch-enemy of mankind, to 
subvert the rule and the worship of Christ. — The reign 
of Satan thus maintained in the fallen spirit of man. — A 
principle of instability combined with false greatness. — 
Rejoicings of the Church, on account of her deliverance 
from the persecuting power of her enemies, celebrated in 
the symbolical language of the prophetic Scriptures, and 
in accordance with historic testimony. — Important benefits 
resulting from this change in outward circumstances, duly 
appreciated by those who have been the subjects of perse- 
cution. — Prosperity and enlargement of the Church. — 
Conversion of distant and barbarous nations the result of 
ardent missionary zeal. — Decay ofthat spirit in the Church 
one probable reason of the retarded triumphs of Christian- 
ity. — Ulphilas, apostle of the Goths. — His labom-sfor the 
propagation of the Gospel.— Translation of the Scriptures 
into the Gothic language. — Reappearance of the same spi- 
rit in the present age. — A digression. .,.,..... 235 



XIV CONtENTS. 

Book X. — ^Variable phases of the Church during her 
period of probation. — Fell, in the season of outward pros- 
perity, into dimness and dechne, through the seductions 
of a vain and presumptuous philosophy, the fascinations 
of the world, and the rapid growth of superstition,-— Im- 
miinent peril of earthly mindedness. — Unbroken alliance 
between misery and sin. — All beings, in their various gra- 
dations, employed as ministers under Messiah's govern- 
ment for the execution of his purposes. — The course of 
Providence directed for the conservation of the Church. — 
Rome, victorious, proud, cruel. — Her imperial sway sub- 
verted by barbarian invaders. — Consequent miseries.— 
Retributive character of the Divine judgments. — Good 
educed from evil. — Reflections. — Rise and prevalence of 
the papacyo — Sufferings of the faithful — Dark features of 
the Man of Sin. — Obscuration of the light of truth in the 
east. — Asiatic Churches, — The Greek empire,— Rise of 
the locust plague from the bottomless pit. — Mohammed. — 
Victories of the Saracens. — Still more desolating devasta- 
tions of the Othmans. — The light of Christianity extin- 
guished in the east. — Prophetic annunciations of the final 
overthrow of every Antichristian power, .......... 251 

Book XL— A faithful remnant reserved by Divine Pro- 
vidence, even in seasons of the most exterminating judg- 
ment, to be the germ of the reviving Church. — The visible 
Church found only among the Waldenses and Albigenses, 
in the secluded valleys of Piedmont. — Their sufferings and 
constancy in the perpetuation of evangelical truth, and re- 
sistance to the Papal apostasy. — Their present depressed 
circumstances. — Appeal to British sympathy. — Wickliffe, 
— Sketch of a Waldensian pastor. — Almighty Power, by 
weak instruments, achieves its grand designs. — Welcome 
dawn of the Reformation. — Its gradual and unmarked 
progress. — Luther. — His bold and successful exposure of 
the Papal delusions. — God the defender of his servants in 
the hour of special danger. — Firmness and courage of the 
Reformers. — The world involved in a war of principles, 
which threatened the destruction of the Papal throne. — 
Britain, emancipated from its thraldom, made the deposi- 
tary of Scriptural truth. — Sufferings of her martyrs. — Her 
primitive barbarism and idolatry. — By her twofold eman- 



CONTENTS. XV 

cipation from heathenism and from popery, laid under 
imperative obhgation to communicate the blessings of the 
Gospel to all mankind. , ...,., 283 

Book XII. — Introductory Stanzas on the Mysteries of 
the Divine Government. — Faith anticipates the blessings 
in reserve for the world, yet looks with anxiety on its long 
continued state of moral darkness. — Apostolical sketch of 
the Heathen character, still realized by a vast proportion 
of the inhabitants of the globe. — !l?ossibly permitted as an 
awful exhibition of the nature and effects of sin, and of the 
necessity and value of redemption. — Philanthropy required, 
not only to bewail the state of unenlightened nations, but 
to make sacrifices for their benefit. — Pensive reflections on 
the desolations of past ages, as connected with eternity. — 
Present awful condition of the Heathen world. — India. — 
Britain's culpable disregard of its religious instruction. — ■ 
Africa. — Slavery. — Wilberforce. — Call of charity for in- 
creased efforts in behalf of the nations still mysteriously 
left under idolatrous darkness. — Prophetic assurances of 
the ultimate triumph of truth. — Present favourable indica- 
tions. — Light. — Martial attitude of the Church. — Sketch 
of a Missionary Soldier. — Transforming power of the Gos- 
pel, instanced in the Pacific Islands. — Missionary scene in 
South Africa. — Trials and triumphs of the work. — Tribu- 
tary Stanzas. — Gkrious consummation of the scheme of 
Redeeming Mercy. — Conclusion. — Earth and Time. ^07 



INTRODUCTORY STANZAS. 



Of Him, high raised on Heaven's stupendous throne, 

Beneath whose feet the sapphire pavement glows ; 
O'er whose intensest splendours, dread, unknown j 

The beaming bow its milder radiance throws ; 
Around whose state, in bright attendance, close 

The full-toned choir of harping cherubim. 
Seraphs, whose robes empyreal lights compose, 

And angels, breathing soft the' adoring hymn :— - 
Of Him, Etei-nal, Infinite, Supreme, 

Fain would a mortal Muse, adventurous, sing ; 
Him, for archangel minds too vast a theme, 

Who yet, when babes their meek hosannas bring, 
Inclines with gentlest grace, and veils in Mercy's wing. 

Yet not that radiant, glowing, dazzling fire, 

All inaccessible, whose vehement flame 
Bi(ts finite natures from its beams retire, 
, Enfolding, bright, the' unutterable Name ; 
But Him who erst in veiled glory came, 

Revealing the Ineifable ; whose might 
Raised o'er illimitable wastes the frame 

Of this vast world, and from essential light 
Kindled the morning stars, whose radiance bright, 

In man, his favourite work, resplendent shone :— - 
The' omnific Word, the Wisdom infinite, 

The' eternal, in the uncreated Son, 
To wondering worlds above, to man on earth made known. 

Him, heaven and earth's Creator, Saviour, Lord, 
Ruling in might the realms his hands have made- 

In mercy as in jnajesty adored, 

Life's Author! by the grave, by death obey'd : 

The' Omnipotent, upon whose shoulder laid 
The keys- of everlasting empire rest ; 



INTRODUCTORY STANZAS. IT 

Messiah, in whose hallow'd form, display'd, 

Shone forth Jehovah's glory, unrepress''d 
Even by the veil it wore ; whonn Heaven confessed 

The mighty God ; confounding every foe 
Whom earth cxtoU'd ; Emmanuel, ever blcsa'd, 

Who, man to save, and hell's dark hosts o'ertluovr, 
Stoop'd from essential light, to live and die below. 

Him would the minstrel sing, might Heaven inspire 

With holy ardours of adoring love, 
Attune to loftiest themes a lowly lyre, 

And, distant, emulate the choirs above ; 
Him, while his chariot wheels triumphant move 

Where rolling clouds and rushing whirlwinds sweep, 
Pursue with sacred awe, and, reverent, prove 

His mighty Presence on the surging deep j 
Attend, till, lo, the boisterous billows sleep, 

Soft at his word, in gentlest calm subside ; 
Till earth, rcnevv'd, her glorious sabbath keep, 

The tranquil Church o'er stormless waters glide, 
And wondering worlds adore Messiah magnified. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM 

BOOK I. 



The saints are the subjects of Messiah's kingdom; and of that king- 
dom it is their dnty to publish to the world the blessings and the 
glories, to the end that, when they are made known, the nations 
may be thereby induced to submit their hearts to so gracious a 
sceptre, and the dominion of Christ become as universal in its ex- 
tent, as it is everlasting in its duration. Bishop Home. 



ARGUMENT. 

Original beauty, perfection, and happiness of the earth, 
and its inhabitants. — Change eftected by the fall. — Dis- 
order and enmity introduced into creation. — Man cut off 
from communion with God, and the celestial world. — 
Condemned, on account of his transgression, to labour, 
sorrow, and death. — Under these affecting circumstan- 
ces, is cheered by the promise of a Deliverer. — This first 
promise, a mysterious intimation of the design of Jeho- 
vah, to save the world by a Divine incarnate Redeemer, 
— Exultation of Satan, Sin, and Death, over the suc- 
cessful issue of diabolic artifice. — Metaj)hor of the oak. 
— Invocation to celestial spirits. — Unsearchable depths 
of redeeming love. — Progress of sin. — Cain and Abel. — 
Apostrophe to Death. — The empire of sin still more ex- 
tended. — Noah. — Terrors of the flood. — Gratitude and 
devotion of the patriarchal family on their deliverance, 
— Renewal of Jehovah's covenant. — The rainbow. — 
Early reappearance of depravity after the flood. — Idol- 
atry. — Truths of priiTditive revelation taught by Noah, 
— Confusion of tongues. — Dispersion of the human fa- 
mily. — Assyiia. — Egypt. — Selection and preparation of 
instruments, the work of Divine wisdom. — Call of Abra- 
ham. — His faith and obedience. — Sacrifice of Isaac, ar 
expressive type of the suffering Redeemer. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

BOOK L 



The covenant of gracu lialh subsisted under vanoud forms of extetnaJ 
administration over since the fall, and shall cuntinuti in full force to 
tlie consummation of all things. Dr. Owen. 



Bright was that moin, and sv/eet those sacred lay^,, 
When first-born seraphs hymn'd Jehovah's praise j 
When, rising from the dark abyss of night, 
In all the charms of new-created light, 
This globe first floated on the' ethereal way, 
Stxblime in beauty, as in pleasure gay, 
Favonian breezes fann'd the verdant woods, 
Arjd gales ambrosial curl'd the rippling flood;i= 
The lord of light, with cheering ray benign, 
Bless'd the meek flower, and bade the vintage &hme. 
In genial dews, soft, humid vapours fell, 
Burst the full seed, or made the blossom swell. 
Earth's fruitful bosom teem'd with life and joy - 
For none had learnt to injure or destroy. 

Nature! what beauties then adorn'd thy face? 
How didst tpiou smile in majesty and grace ! 
Yet, not thy sun, though in his golden pride 
He pour'd forth floods of light and glory wide j 
Not thy green earth, refresh'd with softening showers, 
Thy horn of plenty, or thy crown of flowers j 
Thy countless tribes with varied life endued^, 
All happy, and all exquisitely good ; 
Not all thy sweetest, richest treasures fair, 
Could with immortal man, their sovereign loid, compare- 
Priest of creation, which with loud acclaim 
S weird one vast anthem to Jehovah'y numcj 

3 



20 Messiah's kingdom. 

He, bright in pristine dignity ajjpear'd, 

Belov'd of God, by angel hosts reveredo 

His ample brow celestial wisdom crown'd ^ 

Light filPd his eye ; the mystic spell of sound 

Hung on the music of his speech ; his soul, 

Sublimely soaring, own'd but one control i 

Acknowledged ruler of terresti-ial things ; 

Himself but subject to the King of kings. 

In spirit pure as angels throned in light, 

For him fair seraphs left their mansions bright. 

With them he walk'd in converse kind and sweet j 

With them he worshipp'd at Jehovah's feet : 

Who, mildly bending from his awful throne, 

In man's perfection saw and loved his own. 

Immortal then, Death's dark and formless shade 

Murmur'd no menace to his soul dismay'd. 

'Midst Eden's roses bloom'd perpetual spring, 

In life's pure fount Health dipp'd her halcyon wing ; 

And fast beside that crystal current grew 1 

The living tree, sustain'd by heavenly dew, > 

Which bore perennial fruit, and blossoms ever new. j 

From what height fallen, since that tremendous day 
When heaven's apostate angel urged his way 
To those sweet bowers of bliss ! when, swollen with pride, 
Jehovah's name the serpent's tongue belied ; 
With glozing lies man's treacherous heart betray'd ; 
The shrine of Deity in ruins laid ; 
Darken'd the sun in the blue vault above ; 
To desert wastes transform'd the verdant grove ; 
Corrosive poisons spread through nature's frame. 
And fill'd the new-form'd earth with guilt and shame ! 

Dark on that hour loud hurtling tempests frown'd ; 
The curse, deep driving, scathed the stricken ground ; 
A vengeful arm impelled its secret force ; 
A withering world in throes proclaim'd its course. 
And still that curse earth's strong foundations feel ; 
Her rude rocks tremble, and her mountains reel. 
Now, angry elements in storms contend. 
Beneath the tempest crashing forests bend, 
In billowy foam wild surging waters rise. 
And livid fires flash fearful from the skies : 
From central gulfs sulphuric torrents pour, 
-'Midst warring meteors, deep-mouth'd thunders roar. 



BOOK I. 21 

With torrid heats the fierce equator glows : 
The poles move languid midst perpetual snows. 
Here sterile Winter Nature's hand restrains : 
There poisons throb through her distended veins. 

Subject to bondage, lo! creation groans ; 
Earth's hostile tribes man's sinful rule disowns. 
The early, kindly, heaven-form'd compact broke, 
Now, fierce, they spurn, or bleed beneath his yoke • 
The courser's stately neck Oppression bends, _ 
His tyrant limbs the prowling tiger rends : 
All feel the curse, — from where, o'er scorching plains, 
In regal pride, the Lybian lion reigns. 
To the light insect, borne on golden wing, 
To gather nectar from the flowers of spring. 

All swell the sigh, and heave the general groan ,- 
Man stands in guilt, but not in grief, alone. 
O'er his sad soul what whelming sorrows pour ! 
Exalted, happy, innocent no more ! 
How is his diadem of glory spoil'd ! 
His lucid robe of heavenly splendour soil'd ! 
No angel now in paradise appears, 
A willing wanderer from celestial spheres. 
Dark is the spot, where late, in radiance bright, 
The symboll'd Presence met his wondering sight. 
Dense gathering clouds, portentous, round him roll, 
Obscure his intellect, disturb his soul. 
Through dimming mists distorted shades appear ; 
Guilt, anguish, agony, remorse, and fear ; 
And shame, with fever'd cheek and downcast eye, 
Beseeching, from the covert, secrecy. 

Hush ! the light rustling of the evening breeze 
Fans the thick foliage of those bi-anching trees I 
Hush ! on that breeze far other sound is heard ? 
'Tis the dread summons ! 'tis Jehovah's word ! 
It speaks the coming Judge ! Prepare to die I 
To meet the wrath from which ye cannot fly ! 
Adam ! why of that awful voice afraid ? 
Why seek ye yet the covert's deepening shade ? 
From Him it veils not e'en thy inmost thought. 
" Where art thou ? What is this that thou hast wrought ?" 

Confusion curtains Adam's downcast eye. 
And shaiBe ajid weakness prompt the mean reply. 



22 Messiah's kingdoMo 

His Maker, in his gift, reproach'd ; the tear 

Of penitential anguish, deep, sincere, 

Yet flow'd not from his soul ; his wandering mind 

Had swerved from truth, — 'twas impotent and blind 

What heart so hard that mercy cannot move ? 

What breast of adamant but yields to love? 

Lo, from the Judge, what mingled accents flow ? 

What words of comfort temper words of wo ! 

The curse, tremendous doom of guilt, descends , 

Death, dire companion, sin's dark train attends : 

Sorrow and labour track the thorny way ; 

The stronger govern, and the weak obey. 

The penalty upon the crime impress'd. 

The just award, the righteous Judge attest ; 

On each, retributive, his sentence falls ; 

The tempter serpent ignominious crawls 

A reptile o'er 'the earth, — to man, a foe ; 

Man destined long his venom'd tooth to know. 

But hark ! w^iat soothing, healing accents come ? 
Hope blossoms on the margin of the tomb. 
True, man the serpent's rankling tooth shall feel^ 
The wily foe shall lacerate his heel : 
But, from the victim of his glozing lies, 
The woman, shall a conquering Seed arise ; 
He shall avenge her mighty wrong, and tread 
Victorious on the scaly monster's head. 
Go, hapless parents of a fallen race, 
Go, gather comfort from these words of grace ^ 
Go, wail your foul transgression at his feet ; 
The tears of penitence, of hope, are sweet. 
The promise given, in future years fulfill'd, 
Its eai-nest now, its harvest then shall yield • 
Your Eden lost, that Conqueror shall regain, 
O'er every subject foe extend his reign, 
Ti'iumphant his mj^'sterious path pursue. 
Unbar the gates of death, and open heaven for you. 

Go, then, sad wanderers, quit your blooming bowera 
For sightless thorns exchange yom* cherish'd flowers. 
For lo ! the Seraphim with swords of fire 
Haste to the guard, and caution to retire ; 
Yet, while from Eden's blissful groves ye turn. 
And the full eye can scarce its path discern j 



BOOK I. 23 

While on your steps the curse prolific springs, 
And sorrow folds you in her damp, cold wings ; 
While sickness, pain, and death obstruct your way, 
O lift your eyes to heaven ! believe, and pray ! 
For lo, vicarious, at yon altar lies, 
A victim slain in hallow'd sacrifice, 
Whose guiltless blood for yours a ransom streams, 
Mysterious type of His whose death from sin redeems. 

Now, lost archangel, at thy ruin smile ! 
Bless the deep fraud, admire the prosperous guile ! 
From hell's dread haunts thy flaming legions call, 
Unbless'd intruders on this earthly ball ; 
To torture man, to swell their own offence, 
To urge the thunders of Omnipotence ; 
Thyself the phalanx of rebellion lead, 
Till heaven arrest thee in the daring deed ; 
Till thy bold front the searing lightning scathe. 
And vengeance hurl thee to the gulf beneath, 
To wail, in endless, ever-heightening pain, 
Thy proud defiance of Jehovah's reign. 
Sin ! o'er thy triumphs cast thy gloating eyes ; 
And, if in thy fell bosom joy can rise. 
Exult that thou hast fill'd the world with wo, 
Dishonour'd heaven, laid human glory low, 
Ignited earth from hell's infernal fire. 
And piled the brands for nature's funeral pyre. 
And thou, dread Death, whose pale and ghastly form. 
Rose on the blackness of this awful storm. 
While with the serpent crown thou bind'st thy brow, 
And thy barb'd sceptre lays its myriads low, 
Rejoice, that o'er the human form divine, 
Jehovah's workmanship, Jehovah's shrine, 
Corruption shall its gloomy reign extend, 
Till nature, time, and thou, in ruin end. 

Pride of the forest, so the lofty oak, 
Falls riven by the lurid lightning's stroke. 
Deep pierced its roots, high rose its towering iiead, 
In broad expanse its leafy honours spread ; 
Blithe on its boughs sweet choristers of spring, 
Caroll'd soft notes, and plumed the downy wing ; 
While beasts at noon, in tranquil slumbers laid, 
Sought the cool shelter of its grateful shade. 

1* 



24 Messiah's kingdom. 

Dark frowns the storm : low from the gathering cloud. 
Wild whirlwinds rush, in murmurs hoai*se and loud^ 
Swift flies the shaft, the rolling thunder sounds ; 
Back from the shivering tree, the stroke rebounds ; 
Its sturdy trunk the flaming bolt receives ; 
As spoils of autumn, fly the blasted leaves; 
The tempest's rage its branching beauty rends ; 
Wrench'dfrom its root, the ponderous bulk descends; 
Earth trembles as it falls ! Its prostrate lengthy 
The wreck of beauty, majesty, and strength, 
Lies on the plain, memorial of His power 
Who ruled the terrors of that stormy hour. 



Celestial spirits! ye whose harps of gold 

Once tuned in paradise, 

In sacred symphonies. 
Did there the hallow'd joys of heaven unfold : 

Whether at early dawn, 

From fair enamell'd lawn, 
Your light, ethereal footsteps brush'd the dews ■ 

Or, from yon brighter sphere, 

Your plumes, expanded here, 
Enrich'd the glowing morn with lovelier hues , 
Or, whether from your robes of fleecy light, 
Ye scattered radiance that dispell'd the night ' 

Whether in lofty strains, ye hail'd the sun, 
From ocean's emerald bed 
Raising his glorious head ; 

Or, when his midway course through heaven was run. 
In Eden's shaded bowers, 
Perfumed with fragrant flowers. 

Gave soft iEolian music to the breeze ; 
Or, mild at falling eve, 
When glittering moonbeams give 

Their pure, pale lustre to the trembling trees, 

Ye breathed your holiest melodies of love, 

Accordant with adoring choirs above. 



BOOK I. , * 25 

Ye wlio conversed with man, and linger'd still, 

Enaraour'd to attend 

Your new delightful friend, 
His hallow'd mind with heavenly themes to fill, 

How deeply would ye grieve, 

And to your soft harps give 
Sad sorrow's tones, his piteous fall to see ! 

O ye would change your measure 

Of sweet and solemn pleasure, 
To deep aud plaintive moans for man's aposiasy y , 

And quit the groves of paradise 

To seek again your native skies ; 
Unmeet associate now for spirits bright, 
He shrinks abash'd from your unsullied light. 

Yet shall ye tunc once more your harps of gold„ 

And oft in future years, 

From yonder radiant spheres 
Descend, communion sweet with earth to hold ■ 

A loftier theme awaits your praise, 

A deeper mystery shall raise 
Your genei'ous sympathies with man,— 

With man, redeem'd, restored ; 

For lo, the' eternal Woi'd 
Unfolds salvation's wondrous plan : 
Jehovah to the mighty rescue comes ! 

From the sad universe 

He bids the shades disperse ; 
The dire destroyer to destruction dooms, 
And Eden's blasted groves with heavenly light relum8"3. 



As breaks the moonbeam through the parting storm, 
So, mildly rising, Mercy's radiant form 
Burst on the darkness of this dreadful night, 
And cheer'd its gloom by rays of heavenly light, 
Hope, smiling cherub, in her train appear'd ; 
Faith at her word the hallow'd altar rear'd ; 
And Love, on downy wing descending, came 
To kindle there devotion's sacred flamco 



26 Messiah's kingdom. 

But O, what spirit, eagle-plumed, may soar 
Into that viewless height, that depth explore, 
Whence sprang the counsels of redeeming grace, 
Heaven's large philanthropy to Adam's race ! 
No finite mind that depth, that height, may gain. 
Alike by saint or seraph urged in vain. 
Salvation's source Jehovah only knows. 
Himself the fountain whence its fulness flows ; 
Sphered in eternity, he dwells alone. 
Omniscient, yet unsearchable, unknown. 
To none the secret of his name he tells. 
All with himself the mighty mystery dwells: 
Yet, while the' unfathom'd spring no eye explores. 
Earth drinks the living stream, and wondering heaven 
adores. 
But thus on man while pitying Mercy smiled. 
And soothing Hope the anxious heart beguiled. 
While pale Repentance pour'd the contrite tear, 
And Faith subdued the boding sounds of fear, 
From sin's dire seeds a baleful harvest rose, 
Whose poisonous growth o'erspread the world with woes. 
Not half so noxious blossoms to the sight 
The deadly nightshade, or fell aconite, 
Or upas, amid Java's humid shades. 
Whose fatal juice life's crimson stream invades. 
Whose rude, rough bark the liquid death distils. 
Whose leaves drop venom, and whose vapour kills, 
Corrodes the channels of the vital flood, 
And at its source congeals the purple blood. 
Till life, fast ebbing, from its fount retires,- [pires. 

And, writhed with frenzied rage, the fainting wretch ex- 
Weep, fallen parents of a fallen race ! 
But O, what tears can sin's deep stain efface? 
Weep o'er the darken'd mind, the' unhallow'd soul, 
The lawless will, that hates and spurns control, 
The' obdurate conscience, the perverse desire, 
The passions kindling with infernal fire ! 
Weep for domestic strifes, fraternal hate, 
For envy, jealousy, revenge, debate, 
For fraud, for guile, for malice, for despair. 
For murder ! — for lo ! furious Cain is there ! 
In whose dark bosom ruthless anger burns, 
Whose heart ft-om man, from God, indignant turns. 



BOOK I, 27 

Mark that distorted brow ! See, stern of sou), 
Dread thoughts of vengeance in his eyeballs rolL 
He seeks a brother's blood ! He, form'd to share, 
A brother's blessings, and a brother's care. 
Amidst the jars of elemental strife, 
The sighs of suffering, and the storms of life, 
His destined friend, his counsellor, and guide, 
Companion, placed by nature at his side, 
That each to other, kindly join'd, might prove 
His manhood's treasure, as his childhood's love. 
Now wrench'd these early, tender, heaven-born tiea, 
In his fell thought one only purpose lies. 
Impious and cruel, lo, his murderous hand 
Deals the dread blow of death. The' afiriglited land 
From its stain'd bosom, deep, returns the groan, 
And cries for vengeance to the' eternal throne. 
As views the anxious husbandman, aghast. 
His purpling vintage, by the lightning's blast, 
Wither'd, and scathed, and sear'd: As on the fray 
Of tempest clouds, that dim his wandering way, 
The' affrighted traveller looks : Or mournful swain. 
Who sees the mountain torrent pour amain, 
Down his sweet native vale r So on the dead 
Gazed the first parents : 'twas the hour of dread ! 
Recoiling nature shudder'd at the sight, 
And backward shrunk instinctive. On that night 
A deeper gloom the mourning heavens array'd, 
And spectred Abel glanced athwart the shade: 
Then hung the curse, like meteor clouds around ; 
Then dimly vision'd, scaring Vengeance frown'd ; 
Then sunk the heart beneath domestic wo, 
In pangs that other hearts can never know ; 
Then, Adam, rose to heaven thy labouring sighs ♦ 
Then, weeping Eve, xmuttered agonies 
Throbb'd through thy bursting heart ! All but Despair 
Of Sorrow's hapless progeny were there : 
But all was silence ; contrite grief impress'd 
Submission on the self-convicting breast ; 
Handmaid of Faith, calm Resignation stood, 
And prostrate Patience bore the scourge of God. 
Bleeding, and pierced, and torn, yet each confess'd 
•Twas meet the shaft should wound the guilty breast. 



28 Messiah's kingdom. 

Not thus unhallow'd Cain, whose deed accurs'd, 
Bade drear, dim Death from earth's dark entrails burst.- 
Upborne to heaven, the vengeful cry of blood 
Enter'd, and enters still, the ear of God : 
Stern from his throne the searching summons came ; 
Cain, guilty culprit, dead to truth and shame, 
Indignant from requiring justice turn'd ; 
Pierce in his breast the flame of anger burn'd ' 
But man is impotent in wrath ; in vain 
He hurls his threats against the raging main, 
Hoarse thunders o'er his breast resistless roll. 
Confound his pride, and crush his quivering souU 
Uncontrite, unsubdued, constrain'd to bear 
The rankling vengeance ; terror and despair 
Pix'd in his breast their harpy fangs, and drove 
The murderer from the face of heaven above, 
From all the chai'ities of life below, 
To wander wide in solitary wo. 
His dire disruption of those bonds to wail 
Which none shall guiltless break, unvisited assaii 

Yet, Abel, earliest martyr to the strife 
Of Satan's serpent brood, thy guiltless life 
Fell not unhonour'd ; thee the Power Divine 
Attested righteous at his holy shrine ; 
To thee the pledge, the sacred witness gave, 
That sacrificial blood, through faith, shall save: 
Confirm'd his promise, and still points, through thee, 
To heaven's profoundest, highest mystery, — = 
Messiah, for the world a ransom given. 
On earth devoted, — pleading now in heaven ; 
Pleading for those, who, with a faith like thine, 
Repentant, on the consecrated shrine 
The bleeding victim place ; who meekly own, 
Nor harvest fruits, nor vintage may atone 
For man's deep, desperate sin ; nor seek to hide 
Their foul offence beneath the cloak of pride. 
Presumptuous, to his Majesty draw near, 
Unsanction'd by that blood ; nor, reverent, fear 
That all-consuming fire, whose scorching blaze 
Low in the ashes of confusion lays 
Each rash intruder who presumes alone 
To press with sandall'd foot the precincts of his lhrone= 



BOOK I. 29 

Death ! dark and gloomy king ! 

How, on thy ebon wing-, 
Bow didst thou sail from the dread gulf below t 

What fearless spirit durst 

Hell's ponderous portals burst, 
rhy passage from that nether world to show ? 

O, thou art strange of form ! 

Thou ridest on the storm | 

And in thy murky wings, 

The whistling whirlwind sings ; 
While dismal groans, 
And piteous moans, 

From thy dim shadows sound, 
^nd fearful visions haunt thy solitary ground. 

Yet these illusions dread. 

On thy dark confines spread, 
Like meteors on the misty mountain's brow,— 

These vanish from the sight, 

As, from that stormy height, 
[nto thin air those spectral yapours flow. 

But thou hast feajs defined. 

That shake the loftiest mind ; 

The interminable sea 

Of vast eternity. 

Breaks with rude roar 
On time's dark shore, 
Then onward sweeps 

Into illimitable deeps ; 

And those who launch with thee ' ' 
Vlust tempt with untried step that vast immensity. 

Thy melancholy train. 
Are Languor, Grief, and Pain ; 
Dr, unsuspected, thy swift arrow flies : 
Thy touch dissolves the frame 
All beauteous though it came 
rom its great Maker's hand ; thou break'st the tieSj 
Those viewless ties, that bind 
The imperishable mind 
To its companion frailj 
Whom thousand storms assail, 



30 Messiah's kingdom. 

Which e'en the breeze. 
That quivering trees 
To rustling motion scarcely wakes, 
Like autumn's faded spoils, to earth's cold bosom shaksss. 

And, ruthless as thou art, t 

Thou severest the sad heart, 
To other hearts by sweet attractions bound j 

Though closely twined in one, 

Yet thy stern work is done, 
in spite of weeping eyes, of souls in sorrow drDwn'd, 

Thou fearest not to leave 

The desolate to grieve ; 

But O ! there is a bond, 

Thy gloomy reign beyond ; 
And sacred love, 
In realms above, 

Indissolubly, sweetly bkids, 
Though now disjoin'd by thee, congenictl, kindred nundso 

From the fair light of day, 

Thou bear'st thy trembling prey^ 
To the cold, gloomy caverns of the deep ; 

Where, o'er thy drear domain, 

Silence and darkness reign, 
And desolation and corruption sleep. 

No cheerful sound is there, 

No voice of praise or prayer. 

Nor sun's meridian light, 

Nor the pale fires of night, 
Disperse the gloom 
That shrouds the tomb. 

Nor thither bend the steps of spring, 
Nor summer there alights, on blithe and roseate wing. 

De»vth ! minister of heaven ! 

Into thy hand is given 
The awful scourge of justice ; and thy stroke 

Resistless must descend 

Till time itself shall end ; 
Tiicn the strong pillatii of creation broke. 



BOOK I. SI 

At His tremendous word, 
Thy captives all restored 
Shall at the bai' of their great Judge appear. 
Till that dread hour 
Thy tyrant power 
Shall Adam's sinful race subdue j 
Then, by a Mightier slain, thyself shalt perish too. 



Has Death his triumphs ? O'er the fallen race 
Sweep his dark plumes, Oblivion and Disgrace? 
Sits he enthroned in sohtary state, 
Midst mouldering tombs, and temples desolate, 
Beneath whose ruins scaly serpents sleep, 
Where night birds scream, and desert monsters keep 
Their dreary haunts, loud howling to the moon ? 
Or seeks he, riding on the beam of noon, 
His victim, where the hum of peopled lands 
Rolls murmuring, as the wave o'er ocean's sands? 
Dwells he where rich the sculptured marble rears 
Its trophied pride, or spring's first flower appears 
On the green turf, beneath the yew tree's shade. 
Where rustic Labour to repose is laid ? 
Rules he o'er conquer'd kings of earliest age, 
O'er tyrants fuming on life's restless stage 
E'en but the by-gone hour? o'er stately Pridcj 
Or Vassalage, reposing by his side ? 
O'er beauty, wisdom, virtue, glory, wealth, 
The blast of sickness, or the bloom of health? 
Do earth's wide regions feel his iron reign ? 
Waves his black pennon o'er the boundless main ? 
Though such his might, such though his conquests be^ 
Uncheck'd by slave or monarch, bond or free ; 
Sm, thou hast larger, wider, mightier sway, 
And deathless realms thy direful yoke obey. 

O depth profound, unpierced by mortal sights 
Whence issued darkness on the world of lightp 
From what dim shade, what elemental storm, 
Sprang forth, detested Sin, thy hydra foi-m? 
How grew thy germ of being, midst the blaze 
Of heaven's own beams, till, on the glorious rays 

4 



32 biessiah's kingdom. 

Of many a morning star, deep darkness fell ? 

Thy secrets, or thy triumphs, who shall tell ? 

Death wastes exulting man's enfeebled race j 

'Twas thine, archangels from their thrones to chase, 

To plunge them deep in floods of sulphurous fire, 

To whelm in torrents of Jehovah's ire. 

Infernal pangs in deathless minds to raise. 

To edge the tooth that unconsuming preys. 

'Twas thine, fell sorceress, issuing baleful forth. 

To blast with plagues the bright and beauteous earth ; 

To pierce into the bitter springs of wo. 

And bid their dark and turbid waters flow ;— 

Sorrow and sickness, penury and pain, 

The anxious vigil, and the labour vain, 

Hope's wither'd blossoms. Falsehood's lurking snare, 

The thorn deep rankling in the heart of Care, 

The roar of Anarchy, the feuds of Strife, 

The poisons mingled in the cup of life. 

Thee Judgment follows ; — in thy treacherous course 

Lie ambush'd. Misery, Despair, Remorse; 

Destruction, poised awhile on vulture's wings, 

Awaits thy harvest of devoted things ; 

And haggard Desolation, wild, alone. 

O'er thy polluted haunts, erewhile, shall raise his thronei; 

Long suffering, yet by human crimes provoked 
Against the world Jehovah's anger smoked ; 
Sin had defaced his image ; man, perverse, 'i 

His rule contemn'd, and in his universe, > 

Seeking delusion, found delusion's curse. j 

At length the slumbering sword of justice woke ; 
Keen was its edge, resistless fell its stroke ; 
Fell on man's whole offending race, and laid 
That world in ruins which his wisdom made ; 
One holy seed alone remain'd to bear 
The Branch of Righteousness, the promised Ileii, 
To bless the renovated world, and prove 
That sternest justice yields to mightier love. 

Noah ! to thee, — of all the sinful race 
Alone found upright, — unto thee the grace 
Of favouring Heaven was granted ; and thine ear 
Was privileged that secret voiee to hear. 
Which speaks Jehovah's will : to thee he carnc^ 
In all the glories of his aNyfiil name. 



BOOK I. 33 

And bade thee for impending wrath prepare^ 

And bade thee that impending wrath declare. 

Through rolling years of patient toil, thy hand 

Laborious wrought, fulfilling Heaven's command. 

Thy warning voice proclaim'd the judgment nigh. 

Ere rising clouds obscured the azure sky j 

Ere yet, in air, destructive tempests hung, 

The patient Spirit, by thy pleading tongue. 

Invited, counselPd, urged the apostate race, 

To fly from death to mercy's kind embrace. 

But blind Impenitence, nor eye, nor ear, 

Turn'd to thy work of faith, thy words of fear. 

The taunt, the smile, from the cold lip of pride, 

Or bolder scoff, that fear'd not to deride 

The timid baseness of a mind in dread 

Of distant ills, by unseen impulse led : — 

Acceptance such as this thy work received, 

So was thy counsel by the world believed, 

Till, wild and fierce, the reckless tempest strove, 

Till vollied lightnings rent the clouds above. 

Till down from heaven impetuous torrents pour'd, 

And central Hoods through earth's deep caverns roar'd ] 

Till, o'er the fruitful vale, the mountain's height, 

The cultured plain, the garden of delight, 

Floated, and foam'd, the deepening deluge wide, 

And bore destruction on its awful tide. 

Then, hapless man, the soil that gave thee birth 
Groan'd with thy weight of crime ! Dissolving earth 
Felt the' incumbent curse ; and thou, in vain, 
With trembling steps, along the liquid plain, 
Urgedst thy tardy, unavailing flight ! 
Lo ! the tall cedars on the mountain's height 
Bow to the raging storm ! Thy last resource 
Beneath the whirlwind's dire, convulsive force 
Falls, crashing, thundering down : the forest shakes. 
The rifted adamant asunder breaks. 
Loud bellowing waters fill the chasm beneath; 
Above is vengeance ! all around is death ! 
Nature's wild dissonance returns thy groan. 
Till all is silence ! Ruin reigns alone ! 
Above the measurpless, the formless waste, 
She sits, exulting 6'er a world defaced : 



34 Messiah's kingdom. 

Around her throne the spoils of Vengeance sweep,. 
And Judgment heaves the billows of the deep. 

But Mercy triumph'd : o'er those waters dark, 
Majestic rose the heaven-constructed ark, 
Upborne by Him, who to its bounds consign'd 
The scanty, single remnant of mankind ; 
The family his grace reserved to tell 
Succeeding worlds, how wrath on sinners fell ; 
Succeeding worlds to teach Jehovah's name, 
And one eternal covenant God proclaim. 
Upborne by Him, who bears his Church sublime 
O'er the dark waters of tempestuous time. 
With gladness only less than spirits know 
When haven'd safe from every storm below. 
The trembling I'emnant view'd the verdant earthj 
And pressed exulting into second birth. 
Their grateful hands the hallow'd altar rear'd, 
In mystic flame the present God appear'd ; 
His token of returning grace they saw, 
And, prostrate, welcomed with adoring awe. 
Heard with enraptured ears the Voice Divine, 
And look'd with transport on the covenant sign , 
While, o'er the watery meteor, dense and low. 
Spread the soft splendours of the beauteous bow. 
Signal of peace, of amity restored. 
Seal of His truth who spoke the cheering word :— 
"While earth revolves, heaven's rolling orbs sublime 
Shall keep the constant register of time ; 
Summer and winter, day and night remain. 
Redundant hai-vests crown the cultured plain ; 
The swelling floods, to ocean's depths confined, 
Return no more to desolate mankind ; 
But Truth and Love the promised grace prepare, 
And renovated earth the covenant blessing share, '- 



Gloomy cloud, that, lowering low, 
Shadowest nature's lovely light, 

Wide thy deepening darkness throw, 
Catch the sunbeam bursting bright 

Gently on thy humid breast. 

Bid its soften'd splendours rest. 



BOOK I. 35 

Wild the wind, and fierce the flood 
Foaming, roaring, raved, and rush'd ; 

Thunders roll'd, — the voice of God : — 
Now the angry'storm is hush'd, 

Now the eddying whirlwind sleeps, 

Ocean seeks its barrier deeps. 

Beauteous bow ! thy arch sublime, 

Resting on the distant hills, 
Leads me back to earliest time : 

Hope my pensive spirit fills, 
In thy softest hues I trace 
Gentler, lovelier beams of grace, 

Lo, the tempest's rage is o'er. 

Flashing fires no longer gleam ; 
Solemn thunders cease to roar. 

Silvery clouds resplendent stream; 
Bright the bursting sun appears, 
Ararat its summit rears. 

From his floating home released, 

Noah on the niounlain stands, 
Spreads the sacrificial feast. 

Lifts to heaven his praying hands, 
Listens to the Voice Divine, 
Looks on thee, peace-speaking sign. 

Hush ! the v/ord of promise breaks, 

Not in thunders hoarse and loud : 
Lo ! the covenant Saviour speaks 

Softly from the syrnboU'd cloud. 
Rise ! the storm of wrath is pass'd j 
Judgment shall not always last. 

So, upon the anxious heart, 

Chafed with sorrow's wild alarm, 
When the troubled clouds dispart, 

When the rough wind sinks to calm, 
Breaks the light from distant spheres. 
Falling on a mist of tears. 
4* 



36 Messiah's Kingdom. 

Sun of Righteousness! from theej 
Soft those kicid rays descend, 

Mildest mercy beams on me ; 
Whispers every storm shall endj 

Now the covenant sign is given, 

Bright appears the bow in heaven » 

Resting on the' eternal hills, 

Arching high the emerald throne. 

Heaven with hallow'd light it fills. 
Sends its soft effulgence down. 

Holy light, I hail thee now, 

Circling, mild, Emmanuel's bfow, 

Yes, that meek, resplendent sign 

Presages a cloudless sky ; 
Heaven's eternal light shall shine, 

Truth and Mercy meet on highj 
Righteousness and Peace unite, 
Mingling beams divinely bright. 

Hush, my sorrow ! from a storm^ 
Fierce, and terrible, and wild. 

Sprang that bow v/hose splendours fornij 
Radiant, round the Reconciled : 

Glory's fountain set in shade. 

Earthly lights retired dismay'd. 

From the cross, where darkness shrouds 
Him who suffer'd there for me, 

In the fearful tempest clouds, 
Resting, dread, on Calvary, 

Mercy's beaming sign appears, 

See, believe, and dry thy tears ! 



Severe in judgment, infinite in grace. 
With righteous Noah, and his favour'd race, 
The bond of peace Jehovah mild renew'd. 
And smiled acceptance through the covenant blood. 
Yet still the stain by Sin's dread touch convey'd. 
The wound the serpent's venom'd tooth had made^ 



Book i. 37 

Retain'd its sanguine hue, its deadly smart. 
Dark was man's erring mind, and hard his heart, 
Till, wandering wide, and wider still, from bliss, 
Lost in earth's labyrinth of vanities, 
The' apostate in the creatm'e dared enshrine 
The formless glories of the Light Divine. 

In vain did He whose weeping eyes had seen 
A world in ruins, He who stood between 
The living and the dead, aloud proclaim 
The fearful glories of Jehovah's name; 
Spoke of the Infinite, Eternal One, 
Pervading all, all knowing, all unknown ; 
Taught his creating power, his perfect skill, 
His spotless purity, his sovereign will, 
His awful justice, when in righteous ire . 
Reveal'd in terrors of consuming fire. 

Oft would the patriarch tell, in strains sublime, 
While yet he linger'd on the verge of time, 
Of pristine truths, in paradise disclosed, 
Ere sin, and death, and darkness interposed, 
Unfold the fatal source of human wo, 
Mysterious Mercy's wondrous counsels show. 
The guiltless victim on the altar lay, 
With hallow'd rites that guiltless victim slay, 
The mystic type in mystic sounds explain, 
Point to the Lamb in sacred purpose slain, 
Substance of legal signs, mysterious scope 
Of vision'd prophecy, of Gospel hope. 

So, Priest and Prophet, taught the reverend sire 
The words of wisdom ; wisdom's sons admire. 
Dark o'er the rest bevtrildering shadows closed, 
Error and pride the voice of truth opposed ; 
With deepening gloom drew on the dreary night, 
Offended Heaven withheld rejected light, 
Apostate man Jehovah's glory stain'd, 
Denied his nature, and his name profaned, 
Provoked him in the insolence of pride. 
On Shinar's plains his fearful wrath defied, 
Till Babel's haughty towers the guilt disclosed, 
And myriad-tongued Confusion interposed. 

Then, scatter'd by his frown, the tribes divide, 
As choice directs, or mightier leaders guide, 



38 Messiah's kingdom. 

To distant climes their various steps they bend, 

And cities, temples, palaces ascend. 

O'er Asia's plains, lo, mighty Nimrod flies, 

And Nineveh and Babylon arise : 

Rise to perpetuate his name and crimes, 

To bear Idolatry to distant times ; 

In distant times to sink in dust, and prove, 

Though man is proud, Jehovah rules above, 

And holds the loftiest in his sight as small, 

When vengeance bids the lifted thunders fall, 

As the light insect, which presumptuous flies, 

And courts the flame until, consumed, it dies. 

Egypt! thy ruin'd piles this truth attest! 
The curse is graven on thy ruthless breast ! 
Though loud thy vaunt, erect thy crested brow, 
Thou, too, art fallen ; thy voice is silent now ! 
From Babel's scenes of strife, by Misraim led. 
Dark Ammon's sons thy fruitful plains o'erspread 
Yet no hosannahs bade those plains rejoice. 
When first they echo'd to a human voice ; 
No holy anthems met thy orient skies. 
To Him who bade the sun, resplendent, rise ; 
Nor, lonely musing, where, through deserts wide, 
Old Nilus sweeps his soft and silver tide. 
While evening shades disclosed the starry train. 
And the calm moon commenced her cloudless reign, 
Did Contemplation raise the thought sublime 
To Him whose being, ere the birth of time, 
Forth from himself in changeless fulness came, 

The ONE ETERNAL, SELF-EXISTENT NAME. 

No; for their faithless hearts, by fiends betray'd, 
From Him, the Fount of life and blessing, stray'd j 
Till, lost to all the majesty of mind. 
Their erring intellect to sense confined. 
They basely stoop'd to bow the suppliant knee 
To every form of idol vanity, 
The Deity beneath his works debased, 
And truth and wisdom from their worship chased. 

Rahab! thou wast the dragon of the deep • 
The monsters in thy reedy fens that sleep, 
Or wide for prey thair yawning jaws extend. 
Did more than thou man's fallen race befriend * 



feooK I. 39 

From thee a tide of deadly poisons flow'd, 

Thy ^Ijstcninw scales with hjirid brightness glow'd; 

And deep within thy tumorous entrails lay, 

in dark deposit, thy unhallow'd prey. 

Yes; thoti wast swollen with pride, thy lengthening train, 

From thy deep river to the stormy main, 

Cts spiral folds voluminously spread ; 

Thine eyes of fire, thy foaming nostrils, shed 

Thick wreaths of smoke, and sparks of hellish flame ; 

Nor barbed dart, nor spear could pierce thy frame. 

Aloof from thee, e'en armed warriors stood, 

Nor dared arouse the monster of the flood. 

Rut thou hast perish'd in thy pride! The power 

That suffer'd thee to bask thy baleful hour, 

Hath drawn thee from the deeps, and cast thee forth, 

To feast the fowls of heaven, the beasts of earth. 

ITis hook hath pierced thy jaws, his mighty hand 

Hath stretch'd thee lifeless on the desert sand, 

And left thee in (corruption to proclaim 

The jealous glories of Jehovah's name. 

As through mid-air the sweeping current blows^ 
Or, gently gliding, sinks to soft repose, 
All uncontroll'd by man, who knows not where 
Fierce hyperborean siorms their shafts prepare. 
Or whence, descending mild, on balmy wing. 
Soft Zephyr comes to fan the flowers of spring 
So works, by human counsels undefined, 
The teaching Spirit on the pliant mind : 
Nor to r,he world his secret course declares, 
But un perceived his instrument pirepares. 
Then in the finish'd work unfolds hjs skill, 
And bends his agent to his perfect will. 

In sovereign wisdom, as in sovereign grace. 
The' Eternal Ruler sways the fallen race. 
The good to one vouchsafed designs for all, 
Regards the mightiest,, nor deserts the small. 
To save the world from fast-encroaching night. 
To form one orb of concentrated light, 
A barrier against Satan's hosts to raise, 
To lead Delusion back from Error's maze, 
Messiah's path of mercy to prepare. 
To give to future times the promised Heir, 



40 Messiah's kingdom. 

One from the rest Jehovah's wisdom chose, 
And Abraham to that peerless glory rose. 

Lo! 'midst the deep recess of Syrian groves, 
Where, lost in thought, the musing shepherd i*oves, 
Is heard the Voice Divine ! That voice to hear 
In spell-bound silence stands the listening seer ; 
For well his ear its solemn whispers knew, 
And oft had saiated visions met his view. 
Now, breathing through the stilly gloom profound, 
Comes to his conscious heart a wondrous sound :— 
" Arise ! from country and from kindred go ; 
" Myself thy path, thy destined place will show.'* 

'Tis done ! No keen regrets, no cold delay. 
His willing, prompt, obedient footsteps stay. 
O'er deserts, floods, and steeps, at Heaven's comm.and, 
The pilgrim journeys to that distant land : 
That distant land, in faith explored, became 
His promised heritage. Earth's scroll of fame, 
Illustrious seer ! no heraldry displays 
Like that which blazons forth thy deathless praise. 

The slumbering world, lo, midnight darkness veils j 
Sound, restless flatterer, folds her wings ; the gales 
Breathe not on Mamre's oaks. Along the plain 
Stretch the white curtains of the shepherd train ; 
And o'er the glistening, ambient concave wide. 
Bright starry fires, innumerous, silent glide. 
Ethereal spirits 'mid their splendours move. 
Sleepless, — for sleep invades not those above. 
They whom nor restless thought nor labours tire, 
They wake to love, to ponder, 1^ admire 
Scenes unobserved by man, whose stagnant sense, 
Absorb'd, regards not heaven's magnificence. 
Yet saints, as well as angels, vigils keep 
To gaze on midnight splendours. Roused from sleep, 
Lo, Abraham's soul to solemn thought inclines ; — 
His own mysterious journey. Heaven's designs, 
The land in promise given, the promised heir, 
Himself a childless, pilgrim stranger there. 
On themes like these his mind revolving turns. 
In his rapt bosom pure devotion burns. 
His eye of faith no darkling mists obscure : 
The Lord had spoken; and his word was sure. 



BOOK I. 41 

Night is the hour of vision. Hark ! a sound * 
Yet treads no footsteps o'er the tented ground, 
No rising breeze in heaven's cahn ether wakes. 
Yet see ! the shepherd's curtain'd dwelhng shaken ! 
A Form beside him stands, a voice is heard ; 
It breathes no terrors, 'tis the living Word, 
The covenant Angel, by whose conduct led, 
His flocks on Canaan's pastured lands he spread , 
At whose command he cross'd Euphrates' flood, — 
'Tis Deity enshrined, He, since-incarnate God. 

'Tis Abraham's God is present ! Low the seer 
Bends in prostration, all his soul is ear, 
While sounds oracular in blessings flow, 
And Wisdom's lips celestial secrets show. 
Thus saith Jehovah : — "Abraham, I am thine? 
Thy shield, thy bulwark, is the Strength Divine. 
Lo, kings and princes from thy root shall rise, 
And earth, through all her countless families, 
Receive salvation through thy favour*d line. 
And hail thee father of the Seed Divine. 
Go forth abroad, survey the starry height, 
Count, if thou canst, those orbs of sparkling light : 
Then may thy tongue that progeny compute, 
The destined branches of thy single root, 
Who shall, from me, this stranger land possess. 
Heirs of thy blessing, and thy righteousness." 

Would favour'd saints Messiah's counsels share, 
A weight of glory in his kingdom bear. 
Those favour'd saints must share his sorrows too, 
And taste his cup, ere they his glory view. 
Thus Abraham, most exalted, most beloved, 
By strictest test, omniscient Wisdom proved ; 
Of him who most to know of heaven aspired, 
His faith's severest sacrifice required ; 
That grace matured might beam with holier light, 
And purest day succeed to gloomiest night. 

The promised son is given. In Isaac's birth 
The patriarch's portion is complete on earth. 
To distant years his hallow'd hopes extend, 
Princes and priests in lengthen'd line descend ; 
And Him, that peaceful King of righteousness; 
Whose reign the renovated earth shall bless^ 



42 Messiah's kingdom. 

His faith beholds in mystic vision near, 
To take from him his humble lineage here. 
His largest hopes are reaUzed below, 
And now, ere yet to brighter realms he go, 
He waits, he prays, to view with clearer light 
Messiah's day of grace and glory bright. 

His prayer accepted rose. In secret heard, 
Breathed on his startled ear a fearful word. 
Swift through his soul its thrilling horrors ran. 
And pierced the father, as it smote the man. 
It came at midnight hour : — " Awake ! Arise ! 
When morning light relumes the eastern skies. 
Haste to Moriah's distant mount ; and there 
The solemn sacrificial rite prepare, 
And there the victim on the altar lay, 
And there thy son beloved, thy only Isaa:c, slay!" 

It is Jehovah's voice ! Nor doubt, nor fear, 
Nor love, nor grief, detain the' obedient seer. - -^ 
The stern command his bleeding heart fulfils. 
He seeks with patient step Moriah's hills. 
His hand the gleaming blade, the censer bears j 
Unconscious Isaac by his side appears, 
Yet soon a meek devoted victim lies - 

On the cleft wood a willing sacinfice. 
With steadfast faith and eye full fix'd on heaveiij 
To God the consecrated gift is given. 
He can restore the life his bounty gave. 
And raise the heir of jpromise from the grave. 

" Stay, Abraham ! stay thine hand, the work is dons I 
Unbind the victim. Heaven gives back thy son !— 
Gives back with double blessip.g, and to thee 
Unfolds, through him, that mightiest mystery 
Which angels wait to learn, Messiah's grace, 
His sinless offering for a sinful race." 

Thus on the world with slowly opening light. 
As dusky dawn succeeds to cheerless night, 
Through veiling shades Messiah's splendours rose. 
And types, and signs, mysterious truths disclose , 
While Wisdom to the meek, the sainted mind, 
Her beam convey'd, the way of peace to find, 
Reveal'd the righteousness of faith, the grace, 
Prepared to rescue man's apostate race 5 



BOOK I. 43 

The same, since erst heaven's bright cherubic guard. 

With falchion flames deserted Eden barr'd, 

The Lamb before the world's foundation slain, 

Symboll'd in mystic imagery, or plain 

To human sense disclosed, enshrined below, 

The Man of sacrifice, the Man of wo. 

Hope of a world condemn'd, Messiah, hail [ 
Nor hell, nor death, shall o'er thy Church prevaii 
Thy conquering arm the serpent foe shall bindj 
Thy blood redeem, thy sceptre rule, mankinds 



l\li:S81/\irs KINiiOiMU 

1UH>K n 

'TUo objoj't o( l\u\ iiu<'initMlliit(> liOvifu'iit ilispcius.ilKMi >i .-is (o i»i<»- 
MMvo ilio kii»i\vl(Mlf;i' <>l<lu> tiiio (I'oii, iit tlio niult<( tif sniroiuimiif(( 
|i«>l>(li«i»ni, nuil (i> jKMpotiitUt' jiiul »»i\tirui, willi lUiion.-inR liglii.i 
the imu-umU p.iUijui l»;il iloitnuoor iO(l«Min>tit»u itnoiij;U .■> promiHOtl ' 

UollVcMiM. i\lb(i: 

CuAOi'Ai. ilovcloponiont o[ ihc Oiviuc purpo.so tii (ho »c 
litMupt.iou ol" lln". world. Cuul's muiposilioii in l>ehal('ot 
thr jn>f.Unit.y (>('.\l>iah.vi\», whou j\roMnii)j; undtMlho bomi- 
a;.\r ot' l'','!,ypt.- Mosos. I lis ssojourn in fho doscrl.- 
Pivinolv inspiicii lo tr;iusmi(. Ilio vooord oi' llio ciralion, 
(Uul early lusiory ot'llio woilil. - -.lohovah iuanit<\Mrii lo 
Iwivi in (lie buiMuu; bnsh. - -luvt>;>lod w i(l\ Pivmo and nu- 
liunlous pdw rr lo *. tVort. tlio dolivciawiT oi' IsrntM. - Pass- 
a«;o o\' l\w IJod ^^oa, I lyi\n» o( jnaiso tor (he (\o5^(ru«'lioni 
olTharai^h auil thr- Iv^ypli;*'^ ho^^l. -Lu>d, in his jnslioo, 
«s in his moiv.y, ius^•nu>^bl( . ruv;ivss of Israel under 

the CiMuhiol. ot the rloiul anil ru»\- Mount, Sinai. 'I'liei 

Itiw, an exinliiliou ot the Pivmo iharailor, ihc orii;in;>l 
vulo i>t'holinO}^s to all uiu-lli;;fnl nalnres. -Its votniblica- 
fion doivij;ni'd to show n\an Ins obli»|nity, «»nd to make 
hini t'cel Ins wcaUnCvVs. — llsesscno.o, lovo. — The eeit-nio-' 
nial economy revealed lo Moses in t.lie njounf, a vejne 
^entative system, shadowing; torth the iiieal, ^^aevilu-e. 
that was u\ due time li> be ollereil up toi the iedem[)lioni 
ot the woikl. Isiael a lyp»' ot' tlve (.Jospel l^hunh. 
The (abei naele and .ill its sei viees, ot the lnearnatii>u audi 
olVues ot' (''In isl, 'The nianh thiou,>;h the \vildevnosr>. 
Moab. l>alaK.- l^alaam. Ills pjophicy. • Adiujalunr. 
«>r demons. 



KSSIAH'S KIN(;(>() 



A f/rcnt Utin;^ will tli«j J.oid \,iiuy_ »<» ()Ofr!, Iutt nof, |>r(it(«;rif.ly 

/f.rirmy 'I'uyhii 



iVIan i;: a iJiinj', df" nou^'Jil. , Jii.-i uUoil livr-.d f>ow«;(, 
WJiM-.h l»ij*l!), firi(i |)loorn!!, nri(J wi(,h<;fn in nn hour, 
It,:; 'imiill rf,«ult,!i, pn.cipitfjj.o, would .".how, 
AnO hnil f.h*; hinrvc:'.!. r.n; f,hr- !;c(;()linj^ f/row, 
(jioii, inruiif,*;, ur)''.hfi,rif^»;fi,l)l(:, di;>'.play.M, 
In .■jilcnL projar/)!!, hi;: mys'.U-.riou;! wiiyH; 
lluidUi'.;, with {^rinJunl li/4it,, hi;! varX (l«J'.i^',n» ^ 
I'a^il., pr «■,.';< ;nt,, fMt.or';, iri hi'! vi<w r/»rnhin<;.'i j 
Not <;iii/(;s- li;a!!l,f;, nor (lark (•/)nf,in;^<-,nc.(; Know.'i , 
I li;! \)*ii'<:<X work in rnf-.f;t,c.!;t. r.i-.ur.oii ?;how:! ; 
Con,-;l,ruct'i of vnrn-.cj p/trt,;'. t.hf. won(]roM(i whole, 
I lii-n'/Jf, off.ach, t.h(; (■.<;nt,r<;, lioun-.f;, and !:oul. 

'I'hu-!, hr<;';i irnrnort.al ;:(;(■,() in (■.ru\)!y(» laid, 
I'lvolvinr^ !',low, il.;; vil.ai i'lr<:(\f/l\> di?:play'd ; 
l(,r: r)pc,nin/^ Icavc?!, rny;il,'-,nou;i ficalin/;; !ih«;<J, 
Ami fraj'ranf,<; ;iw(:(>l. i(.!! |)»;anU;OM;i hlo;!f!Ofn!j f;j)rf'nd, 
I'ut. .';oon, a i ir.hor flOil it.ii root,!'. 1'.ut;t.n.in^<\j 
On it,:; l)roa(J f>ra,nrfif;,'i /';f;nial (\t:wn rf-.rnainM ; 
A <:u!t,ur<:d plant,, cnclo.f-.'dhy [Icnvf.u, ii f/tcw. 
And ''Asi:itt'lh, and h<;all,[), rrf)rn r(m(,';rin{/ .'jiudx-.airn'i «Jr«'v/ 
Not awrul int,<',rdir,t,, nor fiarnin/!^ j^uar'd, 
l'r<><,laiinri'd weak mortal.'! from it.M f,o(ji(;h iU:Utiit''<l , 
liut. Truth and Mcicy hy il,<i iihado re.c,lin»;d 
In rny.'it.H-, wiiifioni, l,o t.hr-, drM.il*; rriind, 
It'; vital, M.n'jvatinj^ p(*w«.r r<-.v<;ar<J, 
And hf:alth and hU-anitici or\ th«; <y>n.';r.i<;rK,<v f;(-al'd. 

Awlnic, to i/iUr.ii ut•.l■.r:^ .lf,hovah .';):»ak»;, 
H«id<: lucid virjion:; on »ti«.ii filurnhcrrj hrcak 



46 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

By mystic rites his early covenant seal'd, 
And righteousness, through humble faith, reveal'd ; 
Renew'd with Abraham's sons his oath divine, 
And frequent, at the sacrificial shrine, 
Proclaim'd his presence in the kindling flame, 
And told the wonders of his awful name. 

But long in Ephron's cave the patriarchs slept, 
And wave o'er wave time's boisterous ocean swept, 
Ere to the chosen seed his will declared, 
Jehovah's grace the covenant nation shared. 
But he forgets not ever; and his word, ■ 

By Abraham, 'midst the sever'd victims heard, 
Was firm as on that night of sacrifice, 
When flaming symbols met the patriarch's eyes. 
Intense, and long the Egyptian furnace glow'd ; 
At length, the cup of Canaan's guilt o'erflow'd, 
And God, the great, the terrible, came down 
To save the oppress'd, to wither by his frown 
The vauntings of presumptuous pride, and make 
Rebellious Rahab at his thunders quake. 

Fierce flames the sun on Egypt's arid plains ; 
With swarthy brow, with full, distended veins, 
With furrow'd cheek, with dim and downcast eye, 
Lo ! Abraham's seed, in dire captivity, 
To haughty Pharaoh's harsh commands a prey, 
In wails the night, in toils consume the day. 
O'er desert sands majestic cities rise ; 
Stupendous pyramids salute the skies ; 
The rude, rough rock the sculptor's chisel feels ; 
Her gloomy depths the cavern'd earth reveals ; 
To proud Ambition panting Labour rears 
Columns, and fanes, and thrones, and sepulchres ; 
While Crime and Cruelty, with scorpion scourge, 
And clanking chain, the ruthless tribute urge ; 
Tribute of tears and blood, of torturing pain, 
By tyrants there unmark'd, — yet not in vain, 
Seen by that piercing, all-pervading Eye, 
Which, passing princes, passing angels by, _ 
Rests on the grief- worn child of hopeless Misery, 

'Scaped from the toils of that fell serpent brood, 
Who, baleful, bask'd 'mid Nilus' reedy flood, 
Saved by parental love, parental faith, 
From cruel Egypt's infant doom of death. 



BOOK IL 47 

Snatch'd from the wave by pleading Pity's hand, 
By royal Grace instructed to command, 
Lo, 'mid Arabia's mountain steeps, appears 
The herald, who Jehovah',s mandate bears, 
His mandate of release to Abraham's race, 
His message of authority and grace. 

Yet, to no vulgar, no plebeian mind, 
Was Heaven's important embassage assign'd. 
For Moses with Egyptian lore was fraught ; 
And Moses, by the anointing Spirit taught, 
Preferr'd reproach, and banishment, and grief, 
And Christ, and heaven, to this world's glories brief j 
And counted all things loss, e'en Egypt's throne. 
To win those realms reveal'd to faith alone. 

He was a minstrel, taught to touch the lyrCj 
A prophet, kindling with seraphic fire, 
A bard, inspired on loftiest themes to sing, 
A saint, ascending on Devotion's wing, 
To learn the secrets of high Heaven, and show 
Eternal Wisdom to the world below. 
He was a shepherd too, and fed his flock 
In pastures green, beneath the shadowing rock. 
Or in the lonely glen, where streamlets glide, 
Soft trickling from the rugged mountain's side> 
There, when the sun at fervid noon was high, 
Nor tempering vapour cool'd the biasing sky, 
When desert sands the fiery glow return'd, 
And fierce with heat the glistening ether burn'dj 
There, in the cavcrn'd grot, the mossy glade. 
His gentle charge to soft repose he laid ; 
Or folded safe, when chilling night dews fell, 
Or rocks return'd the prowling panther's yell. 
The quiet sheep repose in tranquil rest, 
But lofty thoughts engross the pastor's breast ; 
To heavenly themes his contemplations rise, 
Celestial visions meet his wondering eyes ; 
'Midst starry spheres revolve his thoughts sublime, 
Unchain'd by sense, uncheck'd by earth or time. 
When midnight moonbeams o'er the desert wide, 
Effulgent roll'd light's soft and silver tide. 
When Morning hung her cresset lamp on high, 
Or streak'd the shadows of the orient sky 

5* 



48 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

With earliest vermeil line, when brightening gold, 
Crimson, and hyacinthine purple, roll'd 
In gorgeous mass, before the bursting sheen 
Of solar glory, on the mountains seen ; 
Then would he forth, and climb the lofty height, 
Stretch o'er the sparkling scene his aching sight, 
Or walk with Wisdom in the silent glade, 
When Evening, pall'd in visionary shade, 
Spread, o'er the rude gray rock, fantastic forms, 
Or curtain'd round its cragged steep with storms. 

Where'er in solitary grandeur wild, 
The desert frown'd, or nature peaceful smiled, 
There, from a vain, unhallow'd world removed, 
He sought sweet converse with the God he loved. 
With souls from earth detach'd, Jehovah holds 
Communion intimate ; to them unfolds 
The secrets of his glory and his gi-ace. 
Admits, in friendship, to the hoUest place, 
Bids them prefer the large request, and there 
Attest the sacred prevalence of prayer ; 
There, in that innermost pavilion, shows 
A mystic Presence that no stranger knows, 
A plenitude of light and love reveals. 
Which tongue declares not ; and the heart that feels. 
In dust before the' o'erwhelming glory lies. 
While silence breathes its raptures to the skies. 

So Moses Avorshipp'd. His was not the prayer 
Of a cold spirit steep'd in worldly care ; 
It was the heart's first wish, the fervent glow 
Of pure aifeetions, raised from things below 
Up to their central Source ; it was desire. 
Which God alone could satiate or inspire ; 
It was the breathing of a mind intense 
To share its Maker's hallow'd excellence, 
To cast the dross of sin and earth aside, 
And live, and walk, a spirit purified. 

Jehovah's word is pass'd : the humble mind 
That seeks for wisdom shall that wisdom find, 
The pure in heart shall see his glorious face, 
The meek shall learn his mysteries of grace. 
While Moses, lonely, in the desert pray'd, 
And God amidst his glorious works survey'dj 



BOOK II. 49 

While God, his being's Source and End, he sought 

In all the holy energies of thought. 

While all his powers in prostrate worship own'd 

The Deity within his breast enthroned. 

To him the' inspiring Spirit came, and show'd 

How Time and Nature from their Fountain fiow'd, 

Reveal'd the wonders of creative skill, 

The fatal entrance of usurping ill, 

The lapse of spirits form'd in light and love, 

The Eden, lost below, restored above. 

The beam of hope, when all around was night. 

Given to the desolate, the gradual light 

That cheer'd the elder world ; that world o'er thrown, 

Jehovah's justice, in his judgments shown: — 

These to his mind Omniscient Wisdom brought. 

And things unseen, by holy impulse taught, 

Led through the long traditionary stage 

Of sainted patriarchal pilgrimage, 

Jehovah in his covenant grace reveal'd, 

His promise, in vicarious suffering seal'd, 

Proclaim'd the Sacrifice in purpose made, 

By sign and shadow to the world portray'd, 

Bade sign and shadow pass before his view, 

With lights retouch'd, and outline form'd anew ; 

A.nd then the high, the hallow'd charge assign'd, 

To give the words of wisdom to mankind. 

To teach, transmitted through the sacred page. 

Truth's living oracles to every age, 

How worlds from Deity, ommfic, sprung. 

Who gave to man his being ; — glorious, hung 

Suns, stars, and planets in the azure sky, 

Bright footstool of his dazzling majesty ; 

Above, beneath, his own reflections spread, 

And on his perfect work his blessing shed. 

Illustrious seer ! while through unbounded space 
Earth's restless orb shall urge its circling race, 
While in yon heavens those radiant fires shall glow, 
And suns and stars revolving seasons show, 
While time endures, the grateful song shall rise 
To Him whose light illumed thy favour'd eyes. 
In vain shall Pride thy hallow'd page oppose, 
Or skeptic Fancy dream how worlds arose ; 



50 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM, 

In vain shall atheists rave of fate and chancp; 
Of atoms mingMng in incongruous dance 5 
Before thy h'ght the baseless phantoms fade ; 
Beneath thy touch, in demon form display'dj 
Falsehood, of angel guise disrobed, appears^ 
Her motley mantle vagrant Folly wears ; 
While in thy lucid mirror Faith discerns 
Secrets of wisdom, and, delighted, learns 
Truths such as Reason's eye had traced in vain, 
Nor Science reach'd ; though, by her golden chain^ 
From cause to cause with patient step she rise, 
Search the deep sea, or scale the starry skies, 
Subject the sunbeam to her laws, or, bright. 
Pursue the comet in its fiery flight, 
From chymic earth extort its secret skill, 
Or bend obsequious nature to her will. 

By Heaven inspired, thy holy record stands 
Jehovah's witness to remotest lands, 
Attesting, while it pours confusion wide 
On all the pomp of philosophic pride, 
'Midst systems crush'd, and schemes to ruin hurl'd, 
That Wisdom, Power, and Goodness form'd the world 
That man in baffled ignorance shall stray, 
Till, meekly bending to instiniction's sway, 
He learn, obedient, all that Truth reveals. 
Nor search, presumptuous, for what God conceals- 

Lo, 'midst the shade of Sinai's frowning height, 
What form of wonder meets the astonish'd sight! 
What awful voice from yonder mystic flame, 
In thrilling accents calls on Moses' name ! 
Turn, favoured seer, thy trembling footsteps turn \ 
Intense it glistens, yet forgets to burn ; 
Pervades the bush, amidst its branches plays, 
And yet consumes not ; — stop ! thou mayst not gaze ! 
It is Jehovah in his fiery shrine ; 
The voice that calls thee is the Voice Divine. 
Go, with unsandall'd feet ; to him draw nigh : 
Yet, O behold not, — dare not lift thine eye ; 
He is J,he Self-Existent, God Supreme ; 
And thou, a worm, a bubble on the stream. 
Yet hear his message ; lo, he deigns, by thee, 
To say to Egypt, " Set my people free • " 



BOOK n. 51 

Lo, to thy hand he gives the mystic rodj 

Invests thee the ambassador of Grod ; 

Bids signs, miraculous, attest thy claim, 

And clothes thee with the terrors of his name. 

Go at his word, to injured Israel go. 

Tell them their fathers' God hath seen their wo ; 

Release his captives ; all his power display ; 

Invert creation ; on the cheerful day 

Pour midnight darkness ; speak in storm and fire 

The threaten'd terrors of his vengeful ire ; 

Call, from his dreary realm, terrific Death, 

On sullen wing, with pestilential breath. 

To sail, destructive, on the midnight gloom, 

And bear the pride of Egypt to their tomb ; 

Compel her demons and her kings to own 

The mightier puissance of Jehovah's throne. 

Then -forth thy myriad tribes triumphant lead ; 

The fiery column shall their march precede. 

He guides thy path whose word controls the sea 5 

That sea he severs ; lo ! its waves for thee 

Roll backward ; — ^backward, — till, on either hand. 

Like mountain piles, the vaulting billows stand, 

A smooth, firm path, the briny deep presents. 

'Tis enter'd, — left,— tempestuous elements 

Rush with commingling fury to regain 

Their long-accustom'd course. 

O'er Egypt's train, 
The horse, the rider, with wide- weltering sweep, 
Returns, in ruthless rage, the dark and stormy deep. 



Hark ! the shouts of the victor, the song and the dance, 
As the hosts of the Loi-d with their banners advance ; 
The morning beams bright, though the midnight was rude. 
And the clarion sounds shrill through the deep solitude. 

Awake, thou loud trumpet ! Ye cymbals, awake ! 

With the voice of your praise let the strong mountains 

shake ! 
With the voice of your praise let the deep valleys ring, 
For Jehovah hath triumph'd, Jehovah is King, 



52 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

O Egypt ! tliy hosts were the sons of the prouds 
At the shrine of the idol, apostate, they bow'd ; 
By the arm of the Mighty tlie idol is crush'd, 
Thy king is confounded, thy vauntings are hush'd. 

O'er the sons of the proud how the wild waters sweep ' 
O Rahab ! thy widows in secret shall weep ; 
For the dragon is wounded, the scales of his pride 
Are mangled, and torn from his iron-ribb'd side. 

Hush ! the hoarse-heaving billow rolls fast to the strandj 
The forces of Pharaoh lie low on the sand. 
Lo, the horse and his rider are mingled in death, 
And the sea casts them forth from its caverns beneath^ 

Hush ! the harp of the minstrel ! the prophetess sings » 
With the chorus of myriads the wilderness rings ; 
The wild winds and waves bear the echo abroad ;— 
^Tis the triumph of Israel, the praise of the Loi-d, 

*'Thou hast conquer'd, O Mightiest ! all glory to Thee ! 
The chariot and horse are o'erwhelm'd in the sea ; 
Thou wast wroth, and the storm gather'd dark in thine ire, 
And thy voice and thine aspect were thunder and fire= 

"O, the horsemen of Pharaoh march heavily on ! 
Thine eye is upon them, their courage is gone. 
Hark ! their ears the hoarse blasts of the tempest assail ? 
'Tis the rush of the ocean ! — the waters prevail i 

*' Thy portion, O Egypt, is terror, dismay ; 
'Tis the sword of the Lord that opposes thy way ; 
'Tis the Angel of Vengeance, whose terrible frown 
To the deepest abyss hurls thee fearfully down. 

" Sing, — sing to the Lord ! Let the lyre and the dance, 
And the trump and the timbrel his praises advance ; 
With timbrels and trumpets, O, bear thou thy part, 
Meek Gratitude join with the praise of the heart. 

"Thy work, O Jehovah! the nations shall hear ; 
The isles of the Gentiles shall wonder and fear ; 
Like the sons of the proud shall thine enemies fall. 
And all creatures ext©l thee, the Lord over all" 



BOOK II. 53 

Jubt are thy wayji, and true, thou Kiug of Kaiiitb ! 
Though weak of wing, man's trembling spirit faints, 
And falls, o'erwhelm'd beneatli that awful height, 
Where clouds conceal thy judgments from his sight, 
Yet Faith, on eagle plume upborne, ascends, 
And prostrate, on the mount of vision, bends, 
Adores thee, wielding dread thy sword of flainc, 
As in the gentler splendours of thy name ; 
Alike ineffable thy wrath, thy love ; 
Nor mortal knows, nor angel powers above 
Those soundless depths of Deity, where lie 
Thy counsels, like thyself, veil'd in eternity. 

So Moses felt, when on the desert strand 
He saw the stricken pride of Misraim's land ; 
Saw her fierce warriors, stern in death, — the beeuu 
Of ruddy morn on helm and corslet gleam, 
The shield still braced upon the nerveless arn.', 
Hush'd the rude roar of battle's wild alarm. 
Impetuous steeds and cla.rion trumpets there 
Lie stiff and silent ; — not in ambient air 
Empurpled banners float, but, borne on foam 
Of angry waves, deserted standards come, 
Heaping the pile of ruin ; there to spread 
Their tarnish'd glories o'er the ghastly dead. 
So Moses felt : with strange and trembling av.e, 
Jehovah's vanquish'd enemies he saw ; 
With holy joy beheld his Israel free, 
And led, triumphant, from the stormy .sea. 
Along the desert sands their myriads press , 
Unwonted echoes wake the wilderness ; 
O'er the blue heavens, in liquid softness spread^ 
The Presence-Cloud extends ; aiid, onward led 
Beneath the starry canopy of night, 
Beams on the camp ; the fiery column, bright, 
Encircles in its lambent flame, and keeps, 
il'he wakeful mother, and the babe th9,t sleeps. 
! See, veil'd in gloom, Arabia's wastes of sand ; 
Dark tempest clouds on Smai's summit stand ^ 
jUurtain'd in sackcloth^ morning dimly bveak.-i, 
Heaven, fearful, frowns ; and earth, affrighted^ quakes, 
IWhy rolls the tempest round yon mountain's height? 
[Why wander wild tho^e lund hghtnings bright? 



54 Messiah's kingdom. 

Thy pioneers, O Holiest ! lo, they bear 
Thy rushing chariot through the troubled air, 
Innumerous hosts thy dazzling train compose ; 
'Midst wreathing smoke the dreadful Symbol glows | 
Unearthly clangours shake the trembling spheres ; 
Bow down, ye heavens, the covenant God appears. 
Lo ! angel heralds speak his presence nigh ; 
Jehovah comes ; be closed each downcast eye | 
He speaks ! let every listening ear attend, 
Let every knee in prostrate worship bend. 
Let every soul in silent awe confess 
That God is terrible in holiness. 

Jehovah speaks ! O man, his words receive, 
Thy thoughts of pride, thy vain conjectures leave ^ 
Lo, Deity proclaims that rule divine, 
That law in which his own perfections shine, 
That thou mayst there his cloudless glory see, 
And learn, abash'd, what Justice asks of thee ; 
Learn, too, that sin hath shorn thy strength away. 
Like his who in the lap of DaUiance lay ; 
That, impotent, thou canst not now arise, 
March in thy might, and emulate the skies ; 
But captive to Philistine foes, and blind. 
Thy noble powers, for noblest ends design'd, 
On Dagon's pillar'd temple furious spent, - - 
Accelerate thy fall and punishment, -■ - 

In mutual ruin whelm thy kind and thee, 
Engines of mischief and of misery. 

Heaven shows the mirror of its stainless mind. 
The rule for angels, as for men design'd. 
'Tis love, sweet spring of every grace ; 'tis love, 
The soul of blessedness, beneath, above ; 
Love, like its Fountain, pure, perennial, bright. 
The glorious impress of the Infinite ; 
In emanations from his throne display'd, " :- 
In precepts by his awful voice convey'd. 
That man, instructed by command, may see 
Transgression in its dire deformity ; 
And, tutor'd in the law's reproving school, 
Detect his wanderings from perfection's rule^ 
Feel on his forfeit soul the' arrest of Death, 
And, trembling, seek the righteousness of faith. 



BOOK II. 56 

Lo, God is terrible ! Approach not nigh, 
Nor touch his fiery footstool, lest ye die. 
Even favour'd Moses fears, with trembling awe, 
Jehovah, in his majesty of law. 
Yet, hallow'd prophet, go ; the mount ascend, 
Thy Sovereign in pavilion'd state attend, 
Where seraphs wait, his high commands receive, 
On earth below, terrestrial frailties leave. 
Go, and in forms of light, mysterious, trace 
The strange economy of saving grace ; 
While Sinai's flaming terrors round thee burn, 
By mystic signs, Redemption's secret learn. 
Go, and while Justice seals the sinner's doom, 
Hear, e'en from inmost heaven, " Behold, 1 come ! 
I come to do thy will ; the shrine prepare ; 
Receive the victim, and the sinner spare." 
Go, Moses, go ; receive the hallow'd sign, 
Mysterious type of Sacrifice Divine. 
Behold, in symbols strange, that will display'd, 
In offerings on thy streaming altars laid ; 
See judgment from a ransom'd world transferr'd 
To Him, the Righteous One, the pure., incarnate Word. 

As victim types the great Atonement show'd, 
So, type of her for whom in ransom flow'd 
The Blood Divine, a mystic Church appears , 
And God, with Abraham's seed, his temple rears. 
Theirs is the' adoption ; in his sacred shrine. 
To them he gives his Oracles Divine, 
Theirs is the glory ; Israel's sons he takes ; 
3f them, his priests, his hallow'd prophets makes j 
♦Vmong them, as their Lord, their King, resides, 
A-nd through the wilderness in safety guides. 

For this, amid the desert's fervid sands, 
His curtain'd dwelling-place mysterious stands ; 
Where, dazding bright, cherubic glory beams, 
iind hallow'd fire with qvienchless ardour streams j 
vVhere fragrant fumes of curling incense rise, 
find priests present the costly sacrifice; 
iVhere Aaron, bright in gorgeous robes array'd, 
cLis pure, propitiatory offering made, 
^Vppcars,with blood before the holiest place^ 
Vnd gains acceptance for a sinful race. 

6 



56 Messiah's kingdom. 

Hail, King, and Priest, and Sacrifice Divine, 
Great substance of the ceremonial sign ! 
From Moses' face though dazzling radiance streams, 
It flows, reflected from thy glory's beams. 
Though mitred Aaron at the altar stands, 
And lifts to heaven his consecrated hands ; 
Though Levi's sacerdotal tribe supplies 
The splendid ritual's costly sacrifice ; 
Though harp and cymbal swell the sacred hymn, 
And- lambent lustre gilds the cherubim ; 
Though o'er his house the cloud, incumbent spread. 
Reveals Jehovah in his presence dread ; 
Though at his feet enshi-ined his covenant lies, 
And pleading Mercy from his altar cries ; — 
All point to thee, in whom their splendours fade, 
As morning beams disperse the twilight shade. 
Thee, in the mystic rite, thy saints descry. 
Subject of promise, law, and prophecy. 
Thou, to thy Church from earliest times reveal'd, 
Her darken'd orb with gradual light hast fill'd. 
Soon shalt thou chase the latest shades away, 
And o'er her disk diffuse perpetual day ; 
Thy imaged glories in her face shall shine, 
A mirror brightening in the beam Divine. 



Fast fled the latest shades of night, 
The sun arose o'er Paran's height, 
And shed on Israel's tents of white 
A glistening stream of amber light. 
When first the beams of morning broke, 
Within those tents, the hosts awoke ; 
For clear and shrill the trumpet's sound, 
By rock and mountain echoed round. 
Throughout the host proclaim'd aloud, 
Jehovah, in his presence cloud, 
Removing far ; and summons sent 
For forward march, — to strike the tent, 
Arrange the tribes, — -take shield and spearj 
And brace the nervous arm for war. 



BOOK II. 57 



Sons of Aaron, saintly race, 

Take the tented curtains down ; 
Reverent, from the hallow'd place, 

Raise the bright cherubic throne. 
Sons of Aaron, saintly race, 

Softly swell the choral hymn ; 
Ye who see Jehovah's face 

Shining 'midst the cherubim, 
While the sacred ark ye bear. 

Sing, "Let God, the Lord, arise! 
Rise, O Lord, thou man of war, 

Scatter all thine enemies ! 
Wide the whirlwind's furious blast 

Rolls and wreathes the desert sand ; 
So thy wrath upon them cast, 

So, dispersed at thy command, 
All who hate thy glorious name. 

All who scoff thy Church and thee, 
Blasted, scatter'd, clothed with shame, 

Shall before thy presence flee." 

Hush ! the sainted song is o'er, 
Moses, Miriam, chant no more ; 
Priests and Levites march before. 
All the guiding God adore. 
Hark ! the trumpet, loud and clear, 

Bids the marshall'd hosts proceed, 
Judah, rise ! thy standard bear. 

Thou the foremost squadron lead. 
See, beneath thy Lion strong, 

Zebulon his trident rear ; 
Patient march, with thee along. 

The dauntless sons of Issachar. 

Reuben ! though the wreath of fame 

Fades on thy dejected brow, 
Rise, the second station claim, 

Simeon, Gad, before thee bow : 
Simeon, in his wrath severe, 

Gad, of warlike foes the dread. 
Reuben, rise ! the standard rear, 

Wide thy waving banner spread. 



66 messiah\s kingdom. 

Joseph ! as a fruitful bough, 

Put thy strength in Ephraim forth : 
By Maiiasseh's thousands show, 

Double blessings crown'd thy birth, 
Benjamin ! prepared for prey, 

March by gentler Joseph's side, 
Israel's God direct thy way, 

Make thy bow in strength abide. 

Dan, the rereward march sustain ; 

Yet thy eagle thirsts for blood ; 
Thou, a serpent on the plain, 

Treacherous, wound'st the sons of God,. 
Asher, Naphtali, proceed, 

Rich in blessings from on high ; 
Lord of Hosts, thy thousands lead 

Forth to glorious victory • 

In quarter'd strength the tribes advance, 

The cloud its dewy moisture sheds ; 
Where, fierce, the fervid sunbeams glance. 
Its cool, refreshing shadow spreads. 
And when the sun declines, 
A spiral flame it shines, 
To cheer the desert's rude 
And fearful solitude ; 
The pilgrim's wary steps to guide, 
Far from the path where scaly serpents glide. 
To turn the tiger's glaring eye aside ; 
And, by the radiance bright 
Of that far-beaming light, 
From the vast wilderness so drear and wide^ 
To chase the darkling gloom of solitary night. 

The night its sable mantle throws 

Athwart the dark blue sky, 
And every star intensely glows 

In heaven's bright canopy. 
Beneath the far, far stretching arch 

That bounds the desert wide. 
The tribes in solemn silence march, 

Jehovah is their guide. 



BOOK 11. 59 

And, radiant, through the deep serene, 

His glory moves along, 
Reflecting bright its dazzling sheen, 

The warriors' arms among. 

But stay! the sainted train, 

Whose haliow'd hands sustain 

Their King's pavilion'd throne, 

Perceive the signal known ; , 
They set the consecrated burthen down, 
And him into his dwelling place invite. 
Soft, on the still and silent night 

Their sacred anlherns swell : — 
"Return, Jehovah, Lord of might, 

Amidst thy people dwell." 

'Tis done, the weary march is o'er, 
Floating ensigns wave no more, 
The lights of heaven, in spark' ing round, 
Wheel silent o'er the tented ground, 
And bright the flaming Syrabol rests : 
Jehovah'^s throne the cloud invests ; 
Beneath his shield his hosts repose, 

His puissant arm his charge defends, 
Till forth the shining column goes, 

Till bright the covering cloud ascends. 

Thus through the perils of that solitude, 

By night, by day, his hosts Jehovah led, 
Pry, parched sands v/ith moistening mists bedev/'d, 
And cheerful light o'er frowning darkness spread. 
But though the covert cloud became 

A screen from day's oppressive heat, 
Though, gliding slov/, the pillar'd flame 

Shone radiant on the pilgrims' feet, 
Though angels' food, like pearly dew, 

Fell nightly on the barren ground, 
Though Moses from the dark rock drew 

The stream that flow'd in currents round ; 
Yet did not Israel's thousands pay 

True homage to their glorious King, 
But grieved and anger'd by the way, 
Though shadow'd by his mercy's wing. 
6* 



60 Messiah's kingdom. 

Unmindful of deliverance past, 

Their Sovereign's rule the rebels spurn'dj 
Reproaches on his servants cast, 

And back in heart to Egypt turn'd. 

Hoarse rose the peevish plaint to Himj, 
The murmur loud, at Rephidim. 
At Taberah the burning flame 
Avenged the Lord's dishonour'd name ; 
And Kibroth's burial place declared 
The wrath for thankless pride prepared, 
Bless'd and chastised alike in vain. 
Their dastard souls despond agaiuj 
Of Anak's sons, affrighted, hear, 
And wail, and weep, with coward fear. 
Refuse to win the promised land. 
Though shielded by Jehovah's hand ; 
Refuse, till God, approaching nigh, 
Is seen, in wrathful majesty 
Denouncing death, till Moses' prayer 
Prevails, the wayward race to spare. 
Yet God abhors the murmuring plaint 
Of timorous souls, that basely faint 
When service calls, er dangers rise, 
Who shrink from close-fought victories, 
Retreat, though arm'd with shield and dart, 
And fly, through littleness of heart. 
For forty years their loud lament 
Received its measured punishment ; 
Still wandering in that desert drear. 
They bore the curse of coward fear, 
Excluded from the pleasant land 
They would not win at Heaven's command. 
Moses, meek man of God, from thee 
They wrench'd that erown of victory ; 
Thou wast not privileged to stand. 
Nor Aaron, on the long-sought land. 
But only from the mountain's height 
To gaze upon that goodly sight, 
"Ah! wherefore?" Meribah shall say, 
When, thirsttng on the sultry way. 
The people with their leaders strove, 
And chafed the gentle breast of love. 



BOOK 11. 61 

God is long suffering ; man is weak, 
Prone, unadvised, in haste to speak. 
Even Meekness, urged, the warmth returns. 
As iron on the anvil burns, 
Yet stroke on stroke, renew'd, receives. 
Ere yet the glowing sign it gives. 
So Moses, urged, oppress'd and vex'd, 
With Israel's waywardness perplex'd, 
Awhile forgat Jehovah nigh, 
And still'd the rebels' clamorous cry 
With words in haste, in anger spoke. 
Till wrath against himself awoke. 

Yet from the rock the silver current flow'd, 

When God's vicegerent show'd 

The emblem of his power ; 
Forth gushing from its rifted side, 
In sparkling streams, along that desert wide 

The living waters ran ; 
And in that hour, 
Betoken'd Him, who for apostate man 
Sent from his pierced side that current forth, 
Which flows in blessing o'er the parched earth ; 

Which bids the dying live, 

The fainting soul revive, 
Lightens the languid eye, and kindles there 
Bright beams of sacred joy, for sadness and despair. 

Yet from the rifted rock in vain 

The gushing torrent sprang, 
The wayward wanderers still complain, 

The camp with murmurs rang. 
In impious speech, in loud lament, 
They breathed their sullen discontent, 
And vented forth, in angry mood, 
Against high Heaven reproaches rude. 

Up rose to God the murmuring cry, 
Their impious speech was heard on high, 
And slighted Grace in anger sent 
Its dread return of punishment. 
Fierce on the bright and burning plain 
The fervid sunbeam darts. 



62 Messiah's kingdom^ 

When, lo, a fell portentous train 
By strength or skill repell'd in vain, 

The furrow'd sand disparts: 
Gliding, coiling, darting dread. 
Serpents lift the crested head, 
Seek the tent, and spread the ground, 
Hissing, gleaming, glisten round, 
Fasten on the trembling prey, 
Youth, and age, and manhood slay. 
Lo, through each distended vein 
Wildly throbs the burning pain, 
Swift the secret venom spreads. 
O'er the frame its poison sheds, 
Fever feeds on every part. 
Drinks the blood, consumes the heart; 

While genial dews 

No drops diffuse, 
To cool the parched tongue, or ease the fiery smart. 

Starting with convulsive pain. 
The frenzied eyeball glares. 
Rankling poison frets the brain, 
The silver cordage tears ; 
While, crimson'd deep, the burning skin 
Portrays the raging fires within, 
Till fell Disease retires on putrid wing, 
And leaves her loathsome prey to Terror's gloomy kin^ 

Oppress'd with grief, meek Moses prays, 

The cloud enfolds the sacred shrine. 
With trembling dread the murmurers gaze. 

Afraid to meet the wrath Divine. 
Who shall the jealous God provoke. 
Nor tremble at his anger's frown ? 
Yet Mercy wards the lifted stroke, 

And sends deliverance down. 
Forth from that throne no vengeful word 

The sinner's judgment seal'd, 
The intercessor's prayer is heard. 
The healing power reveaPd. 
Behold, upraised the languid eye ! 
Disease, and death, and danger fly. 



BOOK lU 

Appointed mean of heavenly art, 
That imaged reptile cures the smart j 
That look unbinds the grasp of death, 
Expels the serpent's venom'd breath. 
Thus, thus to faith display'd 
Transgressor, for thine aid, 
On Calvary's height the crimson'd cross appears, 
O thither turn thine eye ! 
And guilt and grief shall fly, 
And thou a contrite mourner, dry thy tears. 
There, for thy spirit's anguish, for thy fearsj 

There hangs the sovereign cure ! 
There for the torture of the serpent's tooth, 
Remedial balsam flows, and there the poor 
Shall life and healing find, and renovated youth, 

P Israel, wayward, wandering, weak, distress'd, 

j Yet toward the land of rest 

' Urging thy onward way, 

iHow do thy sorrows and thy sins display 

Man's weary travel through earth's wilderness ? 

Xel he whom Heaven shall guide and bless, 
Secured from every envious foe, 

Nor snares shall dread, nor dangers know. 
Save when his coward fear 
Forgets that Presence near j 
Then Satan's fiery darts assail, 
And all his ambush'd hosts prevaiL 
Yet He who rescues from despair, 
Regards, even then, the suppliant's prayer. 
Mildly he bends the pitying eye. 
Beholds the tear, accepts the sigh. 
And bids the sinner heavenward turn. 
And there the blood-stain'd path discern. 
And there that life eternal find. 
His death procured for all mankind. 



Beneath His chai-ge who bore the glistening blad^ 
IJnscabbarded, beside the palm ti-ee's shade, 
jJeneath His charge who bears the' unutter'd Name, 
ro Moab's coasts victorious Israel came. 



64 Messiah's kingdom. 

Led from the coral depths of Egypt's sea, 

Through parched wilds of sterile Araby ; 

Where Arnon's stream, with soft and silver flow^ 

From lofty Pisgah, cheers the vale below, 

Their spreading tents the countless hosts extend, 

Gleam o'er the hills, and on the plains descend. 

In proud array their warrior princes stand. 

Like cedars planted by Jehovah's hand ; 

Their martial ranks beside the crystal stream, 

Like towering palms, or crested aloes seem ; 

While fair as fields with heavenly dew supplied, 

Or gardens redolent of summer pride. 

Their fruitful tribes beneath their banners rest, [bless'dJ 

And spread like clustering vines with genial sunshine 

As forest trees, when autumn blasts assail, 
As aspens quivering in the mountain gale. 
So Moab shook, as, stern, he saw, dismay'd. 
The strangers' feet his fertile fields invade. 
Faint grew his trembling heart, and pale his cheek, 
At tidings told of slaughter'd Amalek ; 
Of Bashan's giant king, despoil'd and slain ; 
Of vanquish'd Amorites on Heshbon's plain ; 
Of Egypt's pride chastised by Israel's God, 
Of signs and wonders by the mystic rod 
Wrought for the foe he fear'd. With conscious pain 
He saw the might of myriad armies vain. 
And anxious turn'd, despairing, dark, afraid, 
From mortal power, to seek infernal aid. 
But demon arts, as human prowess, fail ; 
No dire enchantments against Heaven prevail. 
Nor spells occult His potent word reverse 
Who grants the blessing or inflicts the curse. 

With step perturb'd, and brow with gloom o'erspread, 
On Peor's height see trembling Balak tread. 
At Baal's shrine, his fated doom to know, 
Learn Moab's fall, or Israel's overthrow. 
While yet his priests the ensanguined rite prepare, 
'Midst darkling groves he breathes infected air, 
And listens, while the murmuring night wind sighs, 
To birds obscene, and hovering vulture's cries ; 
Till sounds of deeper dread arrest his ear, — 
The hapless victim's sudden shriek of fear ; 



BOOK II. 65 

The sob of swift retiring life, the groan 

Of torture from a bosom like his own ! 

The human immolation's parting cry, 

Of dread, revenge, despair, and agony. 

Dim, sulphurous flame the' unhallow'd altar crowns, 

Through spectral mists the meteor spirit frowns ; 

And cormorants from their cragged nests draw nighj 

To claim a share in hell's dread revelry. 

Yet vain the spell, the victim bleeds in vain, 

Nor king nor priests responsive answer gain; 

No spirit starts within the mystic ring. 

Nor mutter'd moans the anxious secret bring. 

'Tis silence all, and darkness, save the fire, 

Decaying slow upon that altar pyre. 

Save, startling, sullen, sad, the fitful breeze . 

That sighing sails 'midst dark deciduous trees, 

Bears round the mountain top the deathly wail, 

lOr, murmuring, howls it through the lonesome vale, 

jBursts from the rifted rock with solemn swell, 

[To Guilt's affrighted ear unearthly sounds to tell. 

Turn, son of Zippor ! Balak, urge again 
Thy tardy footsteps toward the fruitful plain ; 
[For Baal's orb is dimm'd by heavenly light, 
jAnd Chemosh stoops beneath superior might ; 
In vain thy priests accursed rites prepare, 
In vain their feast infernal demons share ; 
Demons and priests a mightier Power constrains j 
Go, seek thy princes upon Arnon's plains ; 
Go, send them forth to distant lands, and try, 
By other arts, to change thy destiny ; ' 

Allure a mortal from the right, and gain 
Access of knowledge with access of pain ; 
(Then humbly, by experience taught, confess. 
The curse innocuous falls where Heaven designs to bless. 



From distant lands, where proud Euphrates' tide 
In channels deep and wide 
From Aram's mountains flows, 
iCome, potent seer, in magic secrets versed ! 
Come, try thy hellish arts accursed, 
For Balak's wrath no boundary knows : 



66 Messiah's kingdom- 

Thee shall Moab's princes guide, 

With Midian's nobles at their side, 

O'er rocky heights and deserts drear ; 

For on their fertile plains appear 
Old Jacob's goodly tents, and fill their souls with fear. 
Come, Balaam, for to thee the princes bring 
The greetings of their king ; 
His nobles bear 

Costliest presents, rich and rare. 

They seek thy sordid soul to move 

With lure of wealth, with impious love 
Of this world's glories, vain and withering. 

By gilded baits and flatteries fair, 

They tempt thee to a fatal snare. 
O ye, whom lucre charms, of Balaam's fate beware ! 

Come, prophet, who, by love of gold betray'd, 

Wouldst lend thy willing aid / 

To Israel's enemies ! 
Come, and while Eleaven thy word constrains, 
Confess that God Jehovah reigns ; 
That finite strength in vain his power defies. 
Though spirits foul in darkness bound, 
Low murmuring from the hollow ground, 

Thy mutter'd call obey ; 
Yet cease to dive into the deep, 
Let hell its awful secrets keep, 

Chase all its fiends away. 
Forego thine incantations dire, 
A holier influence shall inspire, 

And woi'k thee to his will. 
Taught by the sword that stopp'd thy way^ 
By angel might stretch'd forth to slay ; 
Taught by the patient beast that bow'd 
Beneath thy weight, perverse and proud ,- 
E'en thou, submissive, shalt his charge fulfil. 

Go, ascend the blood-stain'd height, 
Where Baal's hapless victim dieis ; 

Go, perform the solemn rite. 
Pour the seven-fold sacrifice, 

Balak, in thy princely state. 

By thy reeking altars wait= 



BOOK II. 67 

Pants thy trembling heart with fear, 

Bows, attent, thy listening ear, 

Till the Oracle reveaPd 

Speak the doom of Moab seal'd. 
Hush ! on the prophet's soul a sacred impulse flows, 
He yields him to Divine control, and heaven- taught secrets 
shows : — 

" From the man whose favour'd eyes 

See the visions of the Lord, 
How shall impious curses rise. 

Dark defiance, threats abhorr'd? 
Imprecations foul and fierce 

Reach not heads by Him sustain'd ; 
He can every charm reverse, 

Every potent spell is chain'd. 

" O Israel, happy thou ! 
To thee thy foes shall bow : 
Thy tabernacles fair 
Heaven's choicest gifts shall share, 
i^aliant and stiong thy princely race shall rise ; 

Lo, to the skies 
'. see them tall as mountain cedars spread. 
!\.ccursed, O Israel, be thine enemies ! 
3n those who honour thee be richest blessings shed V 

Trembling, pale, convulsed with ire, 

Balak listen'd while he spoke ; 
Burst, at length, the smother'd fire, 

Fierce the kindling anger broke : — 
" Prophet, seer, thy words are vain ! 

False, thou hast my cause betray'd ! 
Haste to Aram's heights again. 

Lest my sword thy soul invade ! 
Sent I not beyond the flood 

To implore thy curses dire ? 
To the fiends of glen and wood, 

Mountain sprites and imps of fire, 
Demons foul that rove unbless'd, 

To devote my foes abhorr'd, 
Struggling vengeance heaves my breast ; 

Go, ere yet it rage abroad ! 
7 



68 Messiah's kingdom. 

"Yet come again ! 

My soul, restrain 
Thy bitter and impetuous grief! 

Perchance a sight 

From Pisgah's height 
Even yet may yield thy fears relief." 

Again the seven-fold victim bleeds, 

Beside the altar Balak stands, 
To an^er guilty dread succeeds, 

While Balaam waits Divine commands. 
Again the sacred ardours glow, 
Again the prophet's raptures flow. 

" Strong as the unicorn 

Is Israel's powerful horn ! 

The nations shall submit, 

And bow beneath his feet. 
His bow its feather'd shaft shall send, 
His kindling arrows swift descend, 
And keen transpierce the fated prey, 
That dares obstruct his conquering way^ 

" Rising from the sun-burnt plain, 
Judah's lion shakes his mane, 
Then in couchant glory lies, 
Terror of his enemies. 
Who shall dare arouse his might, 
Or rush to the' unequal fight ? 

" O happy Israel ! 

In safety shalt thou dwell. 
Where the crystal waters spread 

Life, and health, and beauty round. 
A bright and blooming garden, fed 
By living springs, whose fruits abound, 
Whose flowrets fair 
Perfume the air. 
Thy smiUng land shall be with plenteous blessings crown'd. 

" 'Midst subjugated foes 

Thy tribes shall dwell alone. 
Celestial hierarchies compose 
The guardians of thy throne. 



BOOK II, 69 

I see them now from heaven descend. 
Around the' expiring patriarch bend, 

And wait the parting sigh ! 
I see their dazzling pinions bear 
His spirit through the yielding air 

To glorioas realms on high ! 
Indulgent Heaven, accord rny prayer! 
O be it mine his death to share, 

His immortality ! 

" But whither, from afar, 
Comes that bright-beaming Star, 
Whose radiance fills the ample heavens with light ? 

Astarte's silver horn 
Gilds not the brow of mom 
With lustre half so bright. 
O'er Salem's hills I see it rise ; 
A sceptre stretching to the skies 

From Jacob's loins stiall spring : 
That everlasting King 
Shall o'er the earth his sovereign rule extend. 
And suppliant nations at Ms footstool bend. 

" I, too, that Star shall hail, 
Though now a misty veil 
O'erhangs my aching sight, 
And earth's dim scenes obstruct its light ; 
fet, yet its streaming splendours from the skies 
Salute my wondering eyes : 
But ah ! the lucid vision flies, 
And boding spectres round me rise. 
For who unpurged shall gaze 
Upon ttiat glory's blaze ? 
Sullen whispers meet rny ears, 

Distant is that sight to me. 
Jacob ! when thy Star appears 

Mine a rayless orb shall be. 
Yet his Spirit fires my soul, 
Yet his inspirations swell! 
Balak, bow to God's control! 
Son of Zippor, fare thee well!" 



70 MESSIAH'S KINGDOMo 

Thus spake the seer, and on the vale below 
A lingering glance o'er Israel's thousand's cast j 

Pale Moab's bosom heaved with speechless wo, 
The gale received their sorrows as it pass'd, [blast. 
And round the mountain top loud howl'd the eddying 



Hark ! o'er Arnon's silver stream 

The voice of music floats ! 
Who suggest the choral theme ? 

Who swells the sounding notes? 
Who the demon train defies, 

And sings Jehovah's might? 
Whence should songs triumphal rise, 

But from the sons of light ? 

Solemn, at the evening hour, 

From Moab's haunts defiled, 
Music breathes its mystic power, 

From glen, and grove, and wild, 
Every lurking fiend to chase, 
To claim the land for God alone. 

Hark ! the ministers of grace 
Sonorous swell their lofty tone. 

SONG. • 

Who shall stand when God appears? 

Who against his might shall rise ? 
He the lifted thunder bears. 

Wings his lightnings through the skies.. 

Hear ! ye spirits of the deep. 

Riding on the mountain waves ! 
He controls your stoi'my sweep. 

Back remands to ocean's caves. 
Hark ! ye spirits of the wind. 

Swooping dread on dusky wing ? 
He the tempest's rage can bind. 

While the dirge of death ye sing. 
Fever'd sprites, who love to haunt 

Scorching realms of central fire, 



BOOK II. 71 

Hence ! from milder climes avaunt ! 

Fierce bestride the Simoom dire. 
Demons dark, who rend the earth. 

Issuing from its roug-h-ribb'd rocks, 
Ye who howl in horrid mirth, ■ 

Sporting 'midst creation's shocks ! 

Gloomy fiends, whom hell's abyss 

Sends to haunt the maniac's brain, 
Ye who taste infernal bliss. 

Listening to the wail of Pain ; 
Ye who love to warp the soul, 

Pour confusion on the mind, 
Purpose, motive, thought, control, 

Passion, sense, and reason bind j 
Ye who, as your choice retreat. 

Claim the dark corrupted heart:— 
Go, at Baal's orgies meet 

Those who from their God -depart. 

Whether with the mouldering dead, 

Ward ye with Corruption keep. 
Or from Suffering's restless bed 

Scare the balmy wing of Sleep ; 
Whether in the train of Death, 

Fierce, ye hunt the fainting prey. 
Eager, till the parted breath 

Make the unpurged spirit way ; 
Whether, at the signal known. 

Harpies, in your venom'd fangs, 
Dread, ye bear the victim down 

To your own unutter'd pangs. 

Hence, ye legions, to the deep ! 

Far from Israel's bounds remove ! 
Ministers of grace shall keep 

Those who share Jehovah's love. 
Angels from their thrones descend. 

Powers whom once in heaven ye knew ; 
Countless shields our camp defend, 

Warriors more than those with you. 
Ye whose empire is beneath. 

There exert your gloomy sway ! 
7* 



72 MESSIAH'S KINGDOMc 

Saints in purer regions breathe ; 
Haste, ye demons, haste away ! 

Vain against Jeshurun's hosts 

His arts the sorcerer tries ; 
In his God Jeshurun trusts, 

And all those arts defies. 
By a mightier power controll'd, 

Silence binds the' infernal train; 
Spirits crafty, fierce, and bold. 

Confess your mysteries vain. 
Lo ! Jehovah claims the land. 

Earth and hell his word revere ; 
Hence ! avaunt at his command 5 

He claims his dwelling here. 



ESSIAH'S KINGDOM 
BOOK IIL 



I the promises given to the patriarchs, the wliole tj'pical service 
of the law, the succession of the Jewish prophets; — all these things 
ivere means employed by God to prepare the world for the reve- 
lation of his Son, Horsley, 



ARGUMENT. 

Retrospection of past dangers and deliverances. — Israel 
settled in the land of Canaan, adopted as the visible 
Church, and made the depositaries of the Divine cove- 
nant. — The pro[)hets. — An order of inspired men, sent 
to instruct the Israelites in the will of God on special 
occasions ; to illustrate the types and shadows of the 
Mosaic economy ; and gradually to develope the design 
of God in the redemption of the world by a Divine, in- 
carnate, suffering Messiah. — Samuel. — His early piety, 
and call to the prophetic office. — His zeal and probity 
in the discharge of the duties of his office as judge in 
Israel. — The people require a king. — Saul raised to the 
throne. — His impiety and rejection. — Samuel's death. — 
Saul's visit to Endor. — Samuel's appearance, and an- 
nunciation of the defeat of Israel, and the death of Saul 
and his sons. — Scriptural instruction conveyed by ex- 
ample. — Varied gifts and characters of the prophets. — 
Elijah, — His power with God by prayer. — Divine ma- 
nifestation made to him in Mount Horeb. — His inter- 
course with Elisha. — His translation. — Elisha conse- 
crated by the Spirit, his successor in the prophetic office. 



MKSSI A ll'S KINfMiOiV] 



ya/rliofi lUf. f/roph/tts i/ist-ruaou tfi'-. [><'.(, [>\'. \u >n-. v/iHoi' Ciod.^hd'i 



*HcAi'Ei) i'errra tha terrorw ol'ihn atxirray decf/. 

to'// «w^^;tly 8iftk« the rciaxmf:e Ut tfM I 
/hat glov/in^ fimtitwit inspires hi« bjr«aiJt, 
/hen amU'A \iy ihf: (h^x dorfuMk thr<^/ng, 
^ memory borr»/j Jifc's F/ackward f/ath al/Mig, 
/■} hear;-, j)j;?airi th/; an.gry f/;m|<<:st roar 
1 hollow unxnanrfi on the darj^^erou« whore ; 
r^^-ilbi the thixn/ier« dire, the \\i^hiii\nij^^. stroke, 
'he ;'.Mr/(e t^l^J.fc o'er hlf-; fttraining v<>f9f/A hrok/; ; 
'he Geriiu« of the Bt/^rrn, who f/ov/nin^ KU/fjd, 
mJ hurlVl defttniction o'er thf> ra^in^ flVx><i. 
Pencil ve, yet ttia-nkful, o'er th/j sW/ny ^/^^irm; 
,i« ftjiirit v/and/;r3; years hj&Lve roll'd ti<itw<:<;n, 
rui Time, with pliant i'laji/j and pen/;il fin/;!, 
» Kha/iow ft^^fUr than at day's (Wdink 
f-M'i on th/: glassy iak-e, h^ii thrown the whole, 
et RtUI it lives, 'tis immccA on his soul : 
;he f^ush r/O/ii^, the agony of v/o, 
he t^ifU'.k of fear, the sbrrn, u^ioyh, MoWf 
:i\\ on his ear with sr/f(/;ning mmmmn nU'M. 
is heart. \ntM Mt, and hUjifi ; It still fjan f/:/;l ; 
Tet sinks finyxUif-A, by mmt/A saffering iim^hi ; 
r taugVtt hy Oirn wrxo witli that mkiihrmii^ wrou^^ht, 
I'o l^>o^^; its sails, f/i e//urt the' ethereal v/Jnd, i 

«f/>rinhtss sea, a sheltering fx/rt i/i find, 
10 n*;e by foitli f/> heaven, anrl leave the v/orld Mufui 



^ 



76 Messiah's kingdoMo 

From the deep sea, the desert's fervid flame, 
At length to Canaan favoured Israel came. 
Their foes subdued, the fruitful land possess'd, 
Their leaders valiant, and their people bless'd, 
Sweet songs of triumphs through their woods resound j 
Their vine-clad hills repeat the echo round. 
Egyptian bondage wakes their sighs no more, 
The perill'd march through dreary wastes is o'er ; 
Or only to the conscious thought return, 
When bright the flames of holy ardour burn. 
When grateful Memory prompts the voice of Praise 
To hymn the blessings of departed days, 
Or calm reflection, pensive, from the past 
Culls Wisdom's seeds in Grief's rude furrows cast. 

Now trumpets breathe the solemn tones of praise. 
And lofty lyres in rich harmonious lays 
Proclaim their triumphs o'er the crown of pride. 
O'er Rahab, whelm'd beneath the ocean tide ; 
For hostile nations by their sword subdued, 
For wonders in the wide, waste solitude, 
Wrought by Jehovah's arm ; — for these the songs 
Of Zion wake, and all her tuneful tongues 
Join with the tender lute in dulcet flow, 
Or organ, pealing deep, majestic, slow. 
While, soft, ascends the meek adoring hymn 
To God, enthroned 'midst shining seraphim. 

Yet Israel, Heaven's first-born, was still a child 
Untrain'd in intellect, in passion wild, 
Wayward, rebellious, prone to leave his guide, 
To start from sacred discipline aside : 
Though fenced within the fiery bound of law, 
Though chasten'd by stern Judgment's sword to awe. 
Though taught by angel ministries his will. 
Yet was he false to God, a froward wanderer still. 

He was a wayward child, yet still an heir, 
The clierish'd object of Jehovah's care, 
The guardian of Jehovah's truth, design'd 
To hold the covenant charter for mankind. 
Though on his neck the servile yoke was laid, 
And Justice, in the stern command array'd, 
Rebuked his froward path, yet Love, behmd^ 
In harshest seeming, most intensely kind, 



BOOK III. 77 

His spirit tutor'd by that rigorous rule, 

For gentler discipline in Mercy's school, 

His privilege in riper years to claim, 

A. son in freedom, as a son in name, 

The spirit with the heritage possess, 

And, heir of God, partake his righteousness. 

; For this, though tutor'd by the mystic sign, 

The letter'd ordinance, the beamy shrine, 

The worldly sanctuary's sumptuous rite. 

To view the Day Star in its distant light, 

iSTet other means Jehovah's grace prepared, 

;\nd gave to language what the sign declared, 

By voice oracular his mind express'd, 

[And placed his witness in the prophet's breast, 

sDrew back with gradual hand the veiling shade, 

|\nd wisdom's brightening lineaments display'd, 

iraught, line by line, his love's mysterious plan, 

llnd communed oft on sacred themes with man. 

'■i'or this to chosen seers the Spirit came, 

And told the secrets of Jehovah's Name, 

i'roclaim'd Messiah nigh, in whom unite 

The cleansing laver, the vicarious rite, 

Wliom patriarchs in primeval promise saw, 

Whom Moses magnified in mystic law, 

Whom Aaron, in his jewell'd robes array 'd, [tray 'd. 

Within the blood-stain'd shrine, in glorious pomp por- 

: With voice sublime, his pioneers of grace, 

iMessiali's heralds, to a wandering race, 

Anointed seers and hallow'd prophets came, 

Commissioned teachers in Jehovah's name. 

With words of fire in thundering wrath they spoke, 

'When guilt, rebellious, urged the' uplifted stroke, 

)r proffer'd Mercy's gifts in gentlest strains, 

As dews revivmg, or soft vernal rains. 

Dauntless, as meek, they dared to meet the eye 

3f tyrant Rage, or lawless Anarchy, 

ileprove the throne, beside the altar stand, 

And charge defection on a traitor land ; 

i3n idol priests the doom of Heaven fulfil, 

:\rouse the tempest, bid the sun stand still. 

^s brass their brow 'gainst skeptic Scorn they set^ 

Bade Guilt recoil, and Power its grasp forget 5 



78 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

Unnerved the arm outstretch'd in furious pride ; 
Impress'd subjection on the rolling tide ; 
Controll'd the fiercer multitude, and stood - 
As moveless rocks amid the boisterous flood 3 
Endured affliction ; lived as signs below, 
Despised precursors of the Man of Wo ; 
Like Him, they, weeping, pour'd the patriot prayer, 
Content themselves to die, might Heaven their countrj 
spare. 

From Ramah's palms thus sainted Samuel came. 
To learn in Shiloh the mysterious Name : 
While yet a child, within the hallow'd shrine, 
An infant votary to the Power Divine, 
He heard that voice which makes, in gentlest tone, 
Its call of love to youthful worship known : 
Heard, ere his untried ear the whisper knew, 
Or vision'd form had met his opening view ; 
Yet sacred ardours fired his panting breast ; 
Soft breathing Love invoked the heavenly Guest ; 
Prayer, holy prayer, his yielding spirit bow'd ; 
And Contemplation, from the gathering crowd 
Detach'd a mind too hallow'd for the tone 
Of boisterous mirth, to think and feel alone. - 

His Avas the gentle joy, the calm delight, 
To think of heaven, to walk with spirits bright 
Amidst the splendours of the star-lit sky, 
Entranced with sounds of spheric harmony. 
O holy pleasures of obedient youth ! 
O rich rewards of early-chosen ti'uth! 
When guileless Fancy takes Devotion's wings, 
And soars and sojourns 'midst vm earthly things ; 
When thoughts, and hopes, and ecstasies refined, 
Purge from terrestrial dross the' expanding mind ; 
When sweet affections spread their swelling sails, 
And favouring Heaven dilates with prosperous gales , 
'When love and duty in one call unite, 
And love is heaven, and duty is delight ! 

Such for himself the sacred Spirit seals, 
To such the secrets of his will reveals. 
To Samuel, nurtured thus, that Spirit came, 
And thrice on midnight silence breathed his name; 
Show'd to the listening child his awful will, 
Sad Eli's burthen of apprQaching ill : 



BOOK nu 79 

Eli, his venerable friend, his guide ! — 

iA.h ! his heart trembled, while his lips replied 

iTo the deep searchings of foreboding fear, 

i'Demanding secrets it was death to hear : 

Death to a parent's hopes, a jDarent's love, 

(iWho fail'd to chasten, linger'd to reprove, 

lirhough impious Folly scoif 'd at Wisdom's rules, 

i!A.nd Heaven-sent teachers trod the path of fools. 

'i Devout in youth, the seer's maturer mind 

I To Israel's weal its stronger powers consign'd. 

^re yet the tribes a regal throne prepared, 

Vnd earthly kings Jehovah's homage shared, 

le bore the burthen of their cares, their crimes, 

\. faithful ruler amid faithless times. 

^or them, when Judgment frown'd, he meekly pray'd , 

The sword of Judgment at his prayer was stay'd. 

5eneath his rule fierce Moloch's shrines decay ; 

swift pass Astarte's impious rites away ; 

i^'rora Baal's groves repentant Israel turns, 

Ind wisdom from the Voice in Shiioh learns. 
With wakeful love, — such love as parents feel 

; Vho guard, solicitous, their offspring's weal, — 

lie meekly bore his venerable sway, 

ind drew the wanderers back from danger's way. 

The rule from Heaven derived, — for Heaven employ'dj— 

■^o venal aim, no base designs alloy'd. 

^lean were his hands; and pure his guileless heart 5 

Truth was his law, and love his only art. 

iiTet Israel, treacherous Israel, sought to find 

i\ ruler like the rulers of mankind ; 

■ To change the spreading palm tree's simple state, 
ji'or gorgeous throne of eastern potentate, 
The prophet's rule, unostentatious, spurn'd, 
ilnd counsels of the sons of Ammon learn'd. 

God lends his ear in anger to the cry 
)f peevish, clamorous importunity ; 
fet with the grant its just award conveys, — 
The poiaon'd pleasure wings the shaft that slays, 
!aul moved a king 'midst Israel's martial hosts, 
I'hilistia ti'embled through her sea-girt coasts, 

i j)'er Moab's, Ammon's, Edom's, Zobah's kir>gs, [wings ; 
lis conquering standards stretch'd their wide-spread 



80 Messiah's kingdom. 

But He who guided Joshua m the fight, 
Who vanquish'd Amalek by Gideon's might, 
Went not, as erst, befoie the camp, nor near 
Its valiant leader came the Heaven-taught seer; 
Save when, with trembling steps and sinking heart» 
Constrain'd to bear the stern reprover's part, 
Or wrest the sceptre from that faithless hand 
Which ruled regardless of Divine command. 

Unhappy Saul ! the prophet's patriot prayer 
For thee ascended oft ; his brow with care. 
His heart with grief, was clouded for thy sake j 
At morn, at midnight's lonely watch awake. 
He wept thy waywardness, thy kingdom rent, 
Till Heaven reproved his vain regrets, and sent 
To Jesse's shepherd son the' anointing oil, 
Then bade his hallow'd age repose from toil. 
Such rest befell not thee ! Around thy bed 
Their halcyon wings no blissful seraphs spread, 
But dreams of fear thy turbid slumbers broke. 
And phantoms scared thee, e'en when morn awoke. 

The prophet slept : In Ramah's palmy shade 
By pious hands his honour'd dust was laid j 
His spirit to its glorious Source return'd, 
And truth in Heaven's essential light discern'd. 
The prophet slept in peace, yet Israel wept. 
And solemn mourning to his memory kept. 
They wept: — for now the teaching word withdrew, 
Nor yet the tribes a rising prophet knew ; 
While, vex'd by foes without and feuds within. 
Sore meed retributive of guilt and sin. 
Their hapless king for counsel sought in vain ; 
Jehovah answer'd not, his priests were slain ; 
Dim mists obscured the ephod's sparkling light. 
Nor dream nor vision broke the gloom of night. 

What balm can yield the troubled breast repose 7 
Can spicy shrub in Gilead's vale that grows 
Distil soft unction for the festering mind, 
Where guilt, corrosive, leaves remorse behind? 
Alas, for thee, distracted king ! whose power 
Avail'd thee not in sorrow's poignant hour ! 
Earth had no opiate for thy pain, nor art 
To draw the arrow from thy wounded heart. 



BOOK III. SI 

id thou, presumptuous, when dread Heaven delay'd, 

dfjt turn, and vainly ask of hell for aid ; 

it hell, through all it« flaming depths is bound.- 

Tinipotence within that dark profound 

jles as in realms; above ; nor demon there 

1 seared wing can rise to upper air, 

lan as permissive wisdom yields the hour 

) deeds of darkness and the tempter's power, 

was a lowering dawn, a v/ildering day, 

'hen Saul, in close and terrible array, 

sheld Philistia's warlike hosts combined 

3 scatter Israel, as the driving wind 

irsues autumnal spoils, when o'er the sky 

erce hurtling tempest clouds impetuous fly: 

was a fearful niglit, when fell Despair 

■ew from Gilboa, and his captains there, 

le guilty, gloomy king, to tempt the path 

om mortal step debarr'd : Heaven frown'd in wrath, 

3r moon, nor twinkling star, its radiance lent, 

) guide the silent travellers, as they went 

>wn the deep glen by Endor's mountain wood, 

J seek the demon's haunt, 'midst rocks that stood 

owning precipitous, beneath the ground 

'here cavern'd vaults repeat unearthly sound, 

here wizard spells, and incantations dread, 

')d howling murmurs o'er the buried dead 

eak not on mortal ears ; nor mortal sight 

ans the dire deeds of those who hate the light. 

Here, in this wild and rueful haunt conceai'd, 

le Pythoness unhallow'd things reveal'd ; 

id here, the king from her demoniac art, 

lught knowledge Heaven vouchsafed not to impart. 

larne seeks concealmeant, Sin affects disguise ; 

-J kingly guest before the searching eyes 

' hell's distorted instrument appear'd, 

et Guilt, suspicious, still the stranger fear'd. 

" Peace to thy terrors!" Saul impatient cries, 

3i.d holy Samuel from his slumbers rise." 

e said : a reverend, mantled form arose ; 

lie prophet roused him from his deep repose • 

be startled necromancer backward drew, 

It Saul the venerable stranger knew. 



82 ME«HIAIlV; KJNOJiOM. 

1 l<: kai-.v/, .'Hill i)n)^.t,r;)t.<: in }ij'-. prf;V;nCf; I'cJI : 
(';jn fjuiv'jrjri,", l/p Jiir; ;;t,r;jn,/'/; fifjnvMlfiion t.';ll V 
'J'fx; U;rnp<;til. of CA)U\,<;ni\if\t' l.h0Mf^hl?^ thfif, |jrok<; 
OV.r hi;> r.ir.k'ci bofiorn, while ihfi vision nijthU*/' 
" Why J)M;-; tfiy rawhrir;^, vcnturfjd to hit.ni(\f: 

< )n I IiuJch' rjui';t. r';!ilm of Koh'fcudr; ? 
Why h;);it, thou brought mc Up?" 

"In sore di«trc«f. 
1 crave. Ihy fiuccour, who v/o«t wont to ble»8, 
Philifitinc focw, in fearful force array'd, 
Apfiroaeh the r,;<ririf<, and God denies me aid; 
'!'(» i.hee, my only h'i[>e, my laKt r</!;Ouree, 
) fh-.e for ;:ijr,';oiar, — O direct my coiArfte!" 

" Whom God for«ake«, hit; prophets cannot eavc. 
Why h;i;it thou brouf^ht me from the <juiet jaavc? 
Yet Ht;i.y ; ior (jlo(i o'errulew infernal j/ower, 
No d(;rnon ;^0V'-J n;i in thia Hfilemn hour. 
Too l.itr;, be[|(;I(J fulfill'(i jeliovah'H v/ord, 
!''rom me, hiii m<:ii:'.(;ttf{<:r in Gi!r/al heard, 
I )i;-;lionour'd then by thy pervenicneHn, now 
The di.-id'im he (J;i«he,'i from thy brow, 
Wren<-,he;-i tlie wccjttre from thy fuitlileas hand, 
An(i ^ivefi <,o .le^ne'H «on thy forfeit hind. 
Vr-,t, liiiten, for Ktill deeper ;joundn J bear, — 
Devoted Jwrael h]hu\\ thy judf^menta .share ; 
Te-niorrow, vanfjuifih'd in in^doriouij fif^ht, 
riuhritine foefj Hhall put thy hrji-itH to ilii^ht. 
And thriu, to-morrow, with l,hy fions, fihalt be 
Amon;/; the «juietdead at refit with me." 

It [)!i.sh'<J : a;i fla;ih to fiaf^h Hucceeds, when l)rir';ht 
Destructive hY^[il,nin//K ^.^Id the ^lo(jm of nijdit, 
Ho HjluI, with Hta,rtled ear, with b(^rHtinj^ heart, 
I l(;ard thofic fitern tidinj^^M : eager to d<;fiart, 
Hiiiifiended life in quiverinj.^ balance hung, 
Fear rjnll'd hi;! bo/iom, nngui(ih bound hia ton^ic. 
Prone to thr; e.trth in .itrengtlileK.'j nwoon la; fell. 

Had Haul ! thy bitter t;i.le let Pity tell. 
I iet tender l*'iiend;ihij» drop the pious tear 
O'er noble .)on;ith;iri';i untimi-Jy bi<;r, 
Ah .I(;i!;;(;';) «on for liojy truth renown'd ; 
Wr»-,iith'd in one efiiiplct Ik-, their hondur.'i found, 

< >H(; liil'd ii while n /'lorioUM throne below ; 

I leaven dei;'^n'd a bri'-htcr hiii'Mlorn to bcfitow 



On Utm w(iM9isft ^/^mrrfm "Vinm^ immi\A,^, mm^rM 
•: / i,hi. ihfm td im^ 

'■'■'. \nh *'Mm% Mft,*h Ut^tf flight, 
.'ft m ^. f'^r <if Uifjfit. ^^ 

. -. iif-Mfn^ pit ii^U/w^^ 

;■{ ' -■■ ■ '. ; :/»* \%\^ Sh'ifi^^p. fif-.Hiprn ^mrmt^^ 

JfmUM*4 yrt, tmy m^tt/'M frmh 4M>i^,m mi^)it 

A i/tcka <'M<*^, fz/fiJit i/> mf-M wiUt PfUk^ 

; , : (d wmm^ 

. ;# rji< Hmv*?(i ixptm Urn itmfWf Ym um^^ 



84 Messiah's kingdom^ 

That impious Ahab quail'd before the sign, 

And Israel own'd the messenger Divine. 

Sent in apostate times, he bore the sword 

Of sacred justice. At Elijah's word 

Heaven seals its influence. O'er the burning sky, 

Nor sheltering cloud, nor dewy vapours fly ; 

Nor rising mists, nor soft-descending rain, 

K-efresh the pastures of the arid plain; 

From crystal spring no bubbling current flows, 

Unwater'd flocks round streamless fountains close ; 

Gaunt Famine stalks along the dreary way. 

And livid Pestilence prepares to slay. 

Elijah prays : the opening heavens again 
Dissolve in copious showers ; abundant rain 
Falls on the thirsty glebe ; new harvests rise ; 
A softer lustre gilds the genial skies ; 
For panting flocks adown ihe mountain's side, 
Bright gushing streamlets pour their silver tide ; 
Reviving Plenty fills her horn, and brings 
Content and pleasure on her balmy wings ; 
Life springs exulting from Destruction's gloom. 
And haggard Sickness hides beside the tomb. 

In desert wilds the wearied prophet sleeps; 
His hallow'd charge an angel sentry keeps. 
With heavenly strength his grief-worn spirit cheers, 
Recruits his wasted frame, dispels his fears. 
And guides him to the mount renown'd of old, 
Where erst his glorious name Jehovah told. 

He comes ! rude Horeb's cave receives its guest ! 
Sublime on nature's awful face impress'd 
Appear the footsteps of that Power whose tread 
Is on the mountain's height, the coral bed 
Of the deep sea, the dark and dashing swell 
Of billows, tempest heaved, or, terrible, 
On the wild whirlwind's wing ; whose voice on high 
Reverberates in thundering majesty 
'Midst sulphurous clouds, his dark and awful seat, 
Or rending rocks that cleave beneath his feet. 

But not the rushing whirlwind's dreadful sweep, 
Nor earthquake, heaving mountains to the deep, 
Nor flame that kindles on the melting hills, 
Announce him now ; a gentle whisper fills 



BOOK III. 85 

rhe prophet's listening ear : absorb'd he stands, 
Ind waits in wondering awe while Heaven demands 
lis secret purpose ; while that voice, so still, 
Jnfolds the counsels of Jehovah's will, 
iVith sounds of hope revives his pensive breast, 
V.nd gives sweet earnest of approaching rest. 

His work was done : ail, save hLs generous care 
''or Zion's future weal : Elijah's prayer 
According Heaven received : its answer came 
Jy seraph coursers, who in car of flanie, 
Jndying, bore him to the realms of light, 
7o talk with Enoch of that wondrous ilight, 
Ving'd by themselves alone ; for all beside 
ro Adam's suffering, mortal race allied, 
)eath's gloomy portals ever open stand, 
ilole avenue to glory's blissful land. 
] It was a solemn hour, when, side by side, 
Valk'd the young prophet, and his sainted guide 
I'rom Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, to where, 
phrough palmy plains, flow Jordan's waters fair ; 
jVhen, fill'd with Heaven, in plenitude of might, 
Ilijah sraote its gliding current bright, 
|tade the full stream disparted stand, and led 
imazed Elisha through its oozy bed. 
t was a solemn hour, as on they pass'd, 
Conscious siike that converse was the last 
Jlow'd to friendship here. Twas nobly spent , 
lach burning breast, on sacred themes intent, 
rlow'd with a seraph's zeal. The Spirit came ; 
►n either kindled the baptismal iiame, 
uspired the large request, the prompt reply, 
'ouchsafed the token. 

On Elisha's eye 
'he glistering car a.s tenfold lightnings shone. 
[e gazed : his father and his friend v/as gone ! 
'he seraph's wing had sever'd from his side 
tis loved companion, his paternal guide : 
i.round him, as he stood, the whirlwind swept , 
[is buj-ning eye no tear of parting wept, 

at upward stiU pursued the dazzling sight, 

iiid long'd to follow in that v/ondrous flight. 

Onward, still onward, lo, Elijah rode ! 
fearen's cleaving arch as liquid amber j^low'd, 



86 MESSIAH*.** KINGDOM. 

AnU apirita bright around his radiant head, 

As govg;eoivs bcains in o»ie»\t heaven outspreaJ. 
Kxpaniied each his pUnny wings, and btMit 
b\o»n every star that v^ilds the tirmavnent, 
To hail with hallow'd songs the tavonr'd gnest, 
Thus early usherM to then- blissful rest. 

These earthly vision saw not ; but the sign 
Oi prayer accepted at the eternal shrine 
Klislia's eye l>eheld ; he felt the power ; 
The prophet's spirit in that awful hour 
Baptiz.'d his burning breast. Let Joalan tell. 
Which saw him catch the mantle as it fell, 
Where was Elijah's Gtxl ! — as present ihei-e 
To own Klisha's as Elijah's prayer, 
To testify the seven-fold gitl transferr'd. 
To consecrate the herald of his woixl. 
To kindle, 'midst apostate Israel's night. 
Another glorious guiding star of light, 
Gontinuoiis blessings on his Church to pour. 
To teach the world lo wouder and adore. 






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ARGUMENT, 

Varied forms of prophetic inspiration all derived from the 
same Divine Soui'ce, and modified for the edification of 
the Church. — Messiah's sufferings and glory the great 
subjects of the word of prophecy. — David one of the 
most eminent of the prophets. — His exquisite powers as 
a Divine poet and musician. — These gifts communicated 
to man by his Creator to harmonize and elevate hisi 
mind. — Guilt incurred by their debasement to unholy 
purposes. — The psalmist's early occupations. — His vic- 
tory over Goliah. — Envy. — Disciplined by adversity. — 
Exalted at length to the throne of Israel. — His circum- 
stantial and varied predictions of Messiah and his king- 
dom. — Testimonies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel to i 
the same Divine Person. — Judah's captivity. — Daniel. — 
His patriotism and prophecies. — United testimonies of I 
the minor prophets. — Universal establishment and tri- 
umph of the Gospel the general scope of the word oft 
prophecy. — Its result a glorious and peaceful slate of the ■ 
Church. — ^Present indications of the approach of that l 
blessed period. — Future glory reserved for the prophets, , 
who, while on earth, understood but imperfectly the sub-:- 
jects of their own pi-edictions. 



.M. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM, 

BOOK IV. 



The great object of the whole word of prophecy is the Messiah and 
his kingdom ; and it divides itself into two branches, as it regards 
either the first coming of the Messiah, or the various fortunes of 
his doctrine and his Church until his second coming. — Horslcy. 



In varied streams benignant nature leads 
Her fostering waters o'er rejoicing meads: — 
In fleecy snows, in fertilizing rains, 
The clouds of heaven drop fatness on the plains ; 
Soft dews in silence earth's cold bosom steep ; 
From mountain heights hoarse-roaring torrents sweep; 
In stately swell majestic billows rise, 
And gathering vapour dims the humid skies. 
One element, by Nature's plastic power, 
In ocean, river, torrent, dew, or shower, 
In form dissimilar its influence sheds, 
And life and beauty o'er creation spreads. 

So God ordains, to bless his Church below, 
His Spirit's gifts in varied streams should flow : 
In differing forms his energy conveys ; 
In each his wisdom, power, and grace displays ; 
In all unfolds the glories of his namej 
Their source, their nature, and their end the same. 

He gave the shepherd to his flock ; his hand 
Convey'd the rod of power; the minstrel band 
Waked at his word the trumpet or the lyre : 
He gave the herald's voice, the poet's fire ; 
Breathed sounds of peace, inspired the strain sublime, 
Unveil'd the mystic course of future time, 
Denounced stern Judgment in its dread career; 
Bade Virtue smile, presumptuous Folly fear. 



90 Messiah's kingdom. 

All flow'd from Him, his wisdom all inspired, I 

He form'd the instruments his hand required, j 

His Church in perfect symmetry to raise, 
All fill his temple with his glory's blaze. 

Zion ! what music fiU'd thy hallow'd quire ! 
No feeble fingers swept thy sounding lyre ; , 

Messiah's name attuned each lofty string, 
The world's Redeemer, and his people's King ! 
He in his glory, in his grief, appear'd 
The Star that led them, and the Sun that cheer'd. 
For Him the kindling inspiration glow'd, 
And words of fire from lips terrestrial flow'd. 
Him in his own supernal light they saw, 
And track'd his suffering path with trembling awe ; 
Beheld Him conflict with the Powers beneath, 
Victorious burst the iron grasp of death, 
A Conqueror from the realm of Hades rise, 
And pass triumphant through the cleaving skies. 
They viewM his empyreal throne sublime, 
High raised o'er every realm of earth and time ; \ 

And hail'd that morn commenced whose cloudless sun 
An everlasting course through changeless years shall runsi 

Illustrious David ! from thy gifted lyre [ 

The minstrel's music flow'd ; the poet's fire 
Fill'd thy rapt bosom. It was thine to move 
Sweet hope, sad fear, and ecstasy, and love j 
To raise soft Pity ; bid Devotion soar 
To burning climes where seraphim adore ; 
In penitential grief, to Mercy's shrine 
To lead sad Guilt afraid of Wrath Divine ; 
Each tone of passion in the soul to raise, , 

As rustling breezes wake ^olian lays, 
Soft as sweet streams that glide through pastures fair, 
Deep as hoarse thunders on the midnight air. 
Solemn and sad, as Griefs expiring groan. 
Sublime as Judgment on his cloudy throne. 

Sweet is the minstrel art ; nor learn'd below ; 
'Twas sent from heaven to soothe the breast of wOj 
To calm stern Passion in his moods of strife. 
Compose the throbbing pulse of fever'd Life, 
To raise the soul by grovelling cares confined, 
Present fair Truth and Virtue to the mind 



BOOK ly. 91 

vi-iv;ieath«id with flowers by beauty cull'd, yet bright, 
Pluck'd from perennial plants, in fields of Ught, 

Celestial song no fabled Muses taught ; 
?rom burning lips it roU'd, in breathing thought ; 
iVhen, brightj yon heavens with earliest anthems rang, 
\.nd morning stars sublime hosannahs sang, 
lymning the Power Divine; that Power, whose voice 
Jade beauteous Nature in his smile rejoice, 
yall'd forth intelligence and life, to show 
iim self reflected in his works below. 

By Heaven bestovv'd, the minstrel's haliow'd lyre, 
7he poet's song, should sacred themes inspire, 
express the harmonies of love, the glow 
)f sympathy with oxellence below, 
Vith loftier excellence above, and raise 
!'he kindling sparks of virtue to a blaze ; 
'an that pure altar's fires, on which his heart 
18 laid a sacrifice. 

\ Whoever thou art, 

rnto v/hose hand the sacred lyre consign'd 
;'or God's own service, dost debase thy rnind^ 
'ervert Heaven's gift, and make, with impious skill, 
'hy rod of power, a serpent, to dislil 
.ank venom from ils tooth, — O learn, for thee 
.waits a dark, a fearful destiny ; 
>ark as yon sun eclipsed in tenfold night, 
'hough form'd to fill the universe with light ; 
earful as his who, once an angel bless'd, 
ore Truth's bright signet on his beaming breast; 
ut quench'd theblaze, and down to depths belovf 
ore myriads, sad copartners in his wo ; 
lyriads, whose everlasting tortures tell, 
I scars of fire, that not alone he fell ; 
[yria^ds, whose endless torment and despair 
iiall ever heighten his. — Vain man, beware ! 

Prophets from angels caught the raptured hymn, 
dmitted oft where harping seraphim 
well the full burst of praise j where, loud and deep, 
he choral hallelujah's solemn s%veep 
o skill of ijuianointed han^i can reach, 
r lips unpurged express in morta.1 speech, 

9 



92 MESSlAH^S KINGDOM. 

Sweet Psaliiiist ! thou, amidst those spirits bless'dj 

Didst walk sublime ; and oft thy hallow'd guest 

The seraph Contemplation came, with thee 

To hold discourse of heavenly harmony. 

Oft, when thy vigorous youth was wont to climb 

The mountain's brow, whose beetling crags sublime 

O'erhung the chafing torrent, as it fell. 

Loud murmuring, to the rude antl dusky dell ; 

Oft, when reclined beneath the sylvan shade, 

By lofty cedars on that mountain made. 

When fervid sunshine urged thy panting flocks 

To seek the covert of o'erarching rocks ; 

Then sought thy meditative soul to rise, 

In holy musings, to the distant skies. 

Or, soft, at eve, when dewy vapours fell, 

And Nature bound thee in Devotion's spell ; 

When, slowly sailing down the western way,^ 

Sunk the rich banners of descending day. 

And night, with crescent diadem, and stole 

Of studded sapphire, bade her chariot roll ; 

Then thy rapt spirit soar'd in praise and love, 

And tuned the harp to Him who rules above ; 

'Midst heaven's magnificence around thee spread, 

Smit with abasing awe, adoring dread. 

Thy prostrate soul with holy ardour burn'd. 

And solemn songs to heaven the sacred fire return'd. 

On Judah's hills the purple morning broke. 
From short, sweet sleep, by clarion trumpet woke, 
Up rose the hosts that press'd the tented field, 
And braced the corslet on ; from spear and shield 
Fell back the beam that streak'd the orient sky, 
Bright herald of the glorious day-spring nigh ; 
When David, from the fields of Bethlehem sent, 
In Elah's vale, beside the warrior's tent, 
Heard the loud battle cry ; for raarshall'd there 
Stood princely Saul, and Israel's a)mies fair ; 
And there, in close and terrible array, 
Frown'd fierce Philistia on the rising day. 

Philistia frown'd ; but, as on deepest night 
A fiery comet glares portentous light, 
So sent that host a champion forth, whose form 
Gleam'd dreadful asthe demon of the storm. 



BOOK IV. 93 

n mailed strength he trod, and giant might -, 
rhe sunbeam sported on his armour bright ; 
lis ebon plume the rustling breezes shook ; 
•'ierce was his ire, and terrible his look, 
through all but David's breast amazement thrill'd, 
iVhile, loud and stern, his impious accents fill'd 
rhe startled ear with horror ; in his pride, 
fehovah and his armies he defied, 

Strong on the strippling youth the Spirit came ; 
le felt the boaster's pride, the people's shame ; 
' And who art thou, uncircumcised," he said, 
'That Israel's cowering host should shrink dismay'd ? 
jCt mighty Saul his servant send ; even now 
fon boasting Philistine's proud head shall bow ; 
Ind he who from the lion rent his prey, 
Lnd slew the bear, shall fierce Goliah slay ; 
?o ravening dogs his impious carcass throw, 
['hat all may own Jehovah rules below." 

Each wondering host beheld him. To the fight/ 
Jnarm'd, save only with Jehovah's might, 
ludden he turn'd ; and in his shepherd guise 
i'ronted the vaunting foe. Goliah's eyes 
i^lash'd fierce disdain ; and on his lip, the while, 
iuiver'd a scofling and contemptuous smile ; 
)n his dark brow defiance scornful hung, 
Ind vollied curses fill'd his muttering tongue. 

He is invulnerable o'er whose head 
rhe buckler of Omnipotence is spread ; 
Ind he who bears nor helm, nor shield, nor spear, 
Srirt by Jehovah, may disdain to fear, 
to girt, so cover'd, toward his giant foe 
Phe shepherd warrior rush'd ; with deadly blow 
^he missile stone, well aim'd, unerring sprang ; 
*hilistia's champion fell ; loud triumphs rang 
!'hrough Saul's emancipated host, and Fame 
'Ul'd every breeze with the young warrior's name. 

Envy ! cold, sullen, bloodless, cruel power ! 
Vhat will not thy fell, rankling tooth devour ? 
Invenom'd snake ! whose blasting, baleful eye 
iJloats on fair virtue, while her piteous cry 
litirs no compassion in thy heartless breast, 
Vhere only spawn of hissing vipers rest. 



94 Messiah's kingdom, 

Whate'er of p-ure, or lovely, checks thy path ; 

Whate'er of wisdom, goodness, valour, faith ; 

Whate'er of firm or gentle mood, that soars 

Above the dust, where trail thy prostrate powers ;— 

All, by thy darting stjng, or glistering eye. 

Or slain, er agonized, around thee lie, 

While thou, fell reptile ! reeking, goi'ged with gore^ 

Insatiate, hungerest still ; still ravening, cravest more. 

On Jesse's valiarit son, in evil hour, 
This hateful fiend enforced its torturing power j 
Beside his path in guileful ambush lay, 
Or sprung malignant on its struggling prey ; ,_ ,. 

Around his form its snaky volume wreathed, 
And poison from the' infernal serpent breathed. 
Yet crush 'd beneath superior strength it fell ; 
Shrunk from its sinuous coil^ and sought the shades of helt 

It was the trial of his faith, the fight 
That proved his soul's affiance in the might 
Of the Omnipotent : the suffering school 
Of discipline, for one ordain'd to rule ; 
That, tutor'd first himself, and taught to yield, 
His hand might bear the sword, the sceptre wield, 
In meek subjection to that Rule benign, 
Where pity tempers v/rath, and grace and justice shin>»^ 

O'er Israel's gather'd tribes, in regal might, 
The prophet-king diffused celestial light ^ 
Received the holy afflux from on high ; 
And tuned his harp to hail Messiah nigh. 
He heard the needy bless his gentle reign ; 
Welcome as showers that flood the parched ptain : 
Justice and Judgment by his side appear'd ; 
The meek were glad ; the proud oppressor fear'd ; 
For not in vain the humble pour'd his prayer ; 
Nor fraud, nor guile, nor violence, was there ; 
Light cheer'd the captive in his lonely cell ; 
From orphan babes no tears unheeded fell ; 
Nor unredress'd the friendless widow's wrong; 
Nor o'er the helpless poor prevail'd the strong ; 
Peace o'er the mountains heavenly blessings shed ^ 
And Plenty, where the vine and fig tree spread, 
Reclin'd secure, nor fear'd the spoiler nigh, 
Nor rush of summer storm in that transparent sky. 



BOOK iVo 

The prophet saw; and, lo, Messiah's reign, 
!)'er the dark billows of the heaving main, 
*ass'd to earth's utmost verge. His throne, sublime, 
/Vaned not, nor sunk eclipsed in shades of time ; 
'roud rivers from the east his tribute brought ; 
k;nd island kings witL costliest treasures sought ; 
'our'd from the dusky south, dark Morian bands 
ISTith Egypt's princes raised their suppliant hands ; 
Lnd Ishmael's sons with gold and incense came : — 
k.11, every nation, bless'd Messiah's name. 

The royal bard attuned the song, 
Swept his sweet lyre in transport strong. 
And lifted high, in sacred lays, 
The fervent voice of heavenly praise, 
To Him, supreme in might, 
In wisdom infinite, 
Whose puissant hand performs, 
»y Mercy's suasive power, by Judgment's stormSj 
The counsels of his wondrous will ; 
To Israel's God, whose majesty 
The ransom'd universe shall fill ; 
To earth's, to heaven's, eternal Lord 
Again he struck the sounding chord ; 
The loud " Amen," in chorus high, 
Leverberant, floated through the distant sky, 
Lnd angel harps prolong'd the joyous minstrelsy. 



Angels join'd thee, royal seer ! 

Angels meet with thee to sing ! 
Soft as theirs, and sweet, and clear. 
Rich and deep, thy numbers ring. 
In soothing flow 
Thy notes of wo 
Breathe on the tender, trembling string ; 
The mourner's sighs 
Responsive rise ; 
lis falling tears bedew the harp of Israel's king. 

Royal bard ! thy lofty lyre 
Melody divine affords ; 
9* 



96 Messiah's KiNGDdBf. 

Stveams of empyreal fire 
Waken thy celestial chords ; 
The living ray 
Of fontal day 
Its kindling touch to thee imparts ; 
The impulse sweet 
Thy fervours meet ; 
And music wakes her powers, and bends the sternest hearts; 

Heaven, with all its glistering fires, 

Earth, replete with thousand charms, — 
All the gaznig eye admires, 

All the fervid breast that warms ; 
The tempest's power, 
The vernal flower, 
"Yields strength or beauty to thy lays j 
While verdant woods, 
And rolling floods. 
In Gonefert rude rejoice with thy sweet songs of praise. 

Providence, through all its chain 
Of mystery, unexplored below. 
Wakens oft thy holy strain ; 

Bids thy numbers, reverent, flow. 
Thy gifted eye 

Beholds, on high, ; , 

Jehovah on his throne, sublime, "" * 
With wisest care 
Arranging there 
The changeful scenes of earth, the course of cireiieg timei^ 

Awful Judgiiient claims thy softg ; 

Majesty in might array'd ; 

Tempest fii-es, and thunders strong ; 

Earth convulsed, and heaven dismay'd. 

Thy listening ear 

Exults to hear 

Jehovah's call through nature sound ; 

In loftiest notes 

Thy music floats, [rounii 

WhilCj glad, his covenant saints his glorious throne m 



BOOK IV. 97 

Terror clothe,s thy mystic strain^ 

While the wicked feel his ire, 
Writhe in agonizing pain, 
Stricken by his bolts of fire. 
With rushing sweep, 
Athwart the deep, 
Thou hear'st them plunge in gulfs below ; 
And stern and strong, 
Thy warning song 
3idis heedless footsteps fly from that dread verge of wo. 

On the height of Zion's hill, 

Lo, the filial Deity, 
Answering to the Father's will, 
Stands in grace reveal'd to thee. 
The hallow'd shrine, 
By love Divine 
Prepared to shroud the Godhead's rays, 
In mystic light 

Attracts thy sight, [praise. 

And tunes thy trembling sti'ings to humble prayer and 

Hush ! in tenser, deeper tones 

Rouse the chasten'd soul to awe ^ 
Vibrate, while Messiah groans, 
Victim of the fiery law ! 
I By traitorous hands, 

. To ruffian bands 

Exposed, a spectacle of scorn ; 
! Reproach and shame 

I Surround his name, 

lAnd mark the Man of Wo, for griefs and sonrows born. 

Deeper still, upon the gale, 

The minstrel's music floats ; 
Listen ! 'tis Messiah's wail ! 
'Tis suffering's saddest notes ! 
To God his cry 
In agony, 
Forth from the lion's mouth ascends ; 
The mountains shake, 
T The rough rocks quake, 

And o'er the startled heavens an ebon veil impends. 



98 Messiah's kingdom= 

Lo, his lyre he strikes again, 

O'er the strings sublimely sweeps. 
Wakes a bolder, loftier strain, 
Rises from the surging deeps! 
The broken tomb, 
The darkling gloom 
Of sorrow's midnight pass'd away, 
Messiah's rise, 
The cleaving skies, 
With angel choirs he sings, in tones divine as they. 

Hark ! the glad triumphal song. 
Floating, fills the ether bright ! 
Seraphs bear their charge along. 
Myriad angels hail the sight! 
Ye heavenly gates, 
His chariot waits ; 
Ye everlasting doors, recede : 

Their conquering King 
Let angels sing, 
And David's harp divine, the glorious concert lead» 



Lo, within the sacred shrine 
Unwonted light appears ! 
His lofty throne Jehovah rears, 
And, manifest in majesty Divine, 
Accepts the fervent hymn 
Of veiled seraphim. 
Beneath incumbent glory bow'd, 

The temple's portals quake. 
In curhng volume rolls the cloud. 
That tempers light, 
For earth too bright, 
While angel hosts their forms, adoring shroud) 
And loftiest songs of hallow'd praise awake. 

Beneath the dazzhng eye 
Of heaven's dread Majesty 
Isaiah trembling stands. 
Ah ! too intense those radiant beams. 
Too pure for mortal eye the light that streams 



BOOK IV. 99 

From glory uncreate. 
Amazed, oppress'd. 
Deep from his burthen'd breast 
Escapes the plaint of wo ; 
.nd from his quivering lips sad sounds of sorrow flow, 
ut hush ! Jehovah cornes to consecrate 
The lierald of his high commands. 
Seraphs at the altar bright, 
Glad, perform the fervid rite ; 
Purged from sin with hallow'd fire. 
Gifted with a prophet's lyre, 
Loud he strikes the lofty strings, 
nd in celestial strains Messia.h's glory sings. 

Lo, his voice, sublimely sweet, 

Swells harmonious on the gale ! 
Mountain echoes rush to meet, 

Bear it through the breezy vale. 
Zion ! hear the joyful sound, 

Lift to heaven thy raptured eyes ■ 
See thy glittering turrets crown'd, 

With radiance from the skies. 

Hark I the herald's trump declare^; 

Emmanuel in his glory nigh, 
'Midst the wilds his way prepares, 

Shouts the approaching majesty , 
Glad, proclaims the promised Son, 

Royal Heir of David's line, 
Hails Messiah's reign begun ; 

The Jubilee divine : 

1 

Sings the great mysterious Name, 

Who, in fleshly shrine conceal'd, 
From paternal glory came, 

And God to man reveal' d ; 
Father of an age of grace. 

Wondrous in his counsels known, 
Ruling mild the rescued race, 

On mercy's peaceful throne. 

Who regards the herald's voice ? 
Who the glad report receives? 



100 Messiah's kingdom. 

Vocal wilds in vain rejoice, 
Haughty Zion misbelieves, 

Lo, the stem of Jesse's root 
Rises from a barren ground ! 

Pale, its tender blossoms shoot, 
Sheds, uncheer'd, its fragrance round. 

Judah spurns a plant so low, 

Cherish'd, not by regal might i 
Impious from the iVIan of wo, 

Proud, averts her scornful sight I 
Unadorn'd with beauty's grace, 

Grace reveal'd to mortal eyes, 
Sorrow marks his furrow'd face, 

His bosom heaves with sighs ! 

Yet for us he pours the groan ; 

Yet for us the scourge he bears. 
Sinner, weep ! for thee alone 

Streams his blood, descend his tears ! 
By thy chastisement oppress'd, 

Crush'd beneath thy weight of wrath 
Wanderer, seek in him thy rest, 

His dying conquers death ! 

Yet, though bruised beneath our grief, 

Stricken by Jehovah's ire. 
Hell and Death, your reign is brief, 

To your cavern'd haunts retire ! 
Lo, his soul, an offei'ing made. 

Heaves from man the deadly curse ! 
Sing, ye heavens ! thou earth, be glad ? 

Shout, ransom'd universe ! 

With the wicked join'd in death, 

With the rich in burial found. 
Hades holds him not beneath. 

Soon with gather'd trophies crown'd, 
Bursts the Conqueror from his tomb. 

Issues forth in spoils elate, 
Mounts, majestic, to assume 

His everlasting state ; 



BOOK IV. 101 

In the meed by sufFeiing bought, 

Triumphs with Divine delight, 
Sees the work his love has wrought, 

Pleasing in his Father's sight. ' 
Sees his seed as orient dew 

Sparkling on the thirsty earth ; 
Sprinkled nations rise to view, 

A race of heavenly birth : 

O'er his Church extends his sway, 

Guides it through the toils of time, 
Mercy's mediatorial day 

Views in lengthen'd light sublime. 
Lengthen'd till his prosperous reign 

Perfect all his love's intent, 
Nor rebel power on earth remain 

To thwart his government. 

Till creation's curse remove, 

Concord, reunite the whole ! 
Gentle Peace, and holy Love, 

Nature's sever'd tribes control * 
Till, beneath his docile sway, 

Lion rage and serpent guile 
Mild as infant meekness play. 

Changed by his reviving smile. 

Till, as floods that roll sublime 

Boundless o'er the unmeasured deep, 
Righteousness from clime to clime 

Its tide of blessing sweep; 
Gather'd by the' uplifted sign. 

Broad on every height unfurl'd, 
Till his glorious power Divine 

Renew a ransom'd world. 



But who beneath the palnr tree's withering shadcj 
1 the parch'd ground, in mournful musings laid, 
aws from his deep-toned lyre sad plaints of wo, 
hose downcast eyes with gushing tears o'erflow ? 



102 Messiah's ki>;gdom. 

As mc«^iiing winds presage the tempest nigh, 

While dai-k, dense clouds o'erhaug the threatening sky. 
So, on the troubled air his wailing su-ain 
Ponentoiis falls, yet falls, alas I in vain : 
Unheeded by that duU, that u-eacherous ear. 
It tain would wake Jehorah's voice to hear. 
Intonstani Judah spurns the prophet's l?.y. 
Uimioved beholds the tempesr urge its way, 
TiU wrath the o'ereharged cloud vindiciive rend^j 
And vengeance in the bursting stonn defends. 

Yet, stem ASiction's child, sad Jeremy. 

Amid his griefs, the day cf glory saw : 
His rears of pain, his hours of ag:cuy, 

Tee promise cheer d ; he n'.'j-k'd'the cloud withdraws 
As veiling mists from mom : with mingled awe 

And yearning pangs his patriot spirit view'd 
The sword of justice, tor afironied law. 

Lay Ziou w^ste, by barbarous foe^ subdued, 
^Vhile he, a lonely wrecks wept o'er thai solitude. 

Vet, though withdeepj condnnoas, silent flow. 

His tears o'er Judah's desolations fell ; 
Thoiigh, o'er the oueea of naticms, capjive, low. 

His lorn harp, wailing, rung its piteoas kneJl ; 
To him 'twas given with kindling joy to tell 

Oi ages bright with glory and renown. 
When Zion's K)ns again shall safely dwell 

In Sale-m's liome of peace ; and Heaven lock ao^vii 
Propitious on their vows, and lig^t their altars crown. 

Though round those towers where princes walk'd in stale, 

The whistling night- wind pour'd its piieoos moan ; 
Though o'er her mountains, drear and desolate. 

The fox, wild, wander d ; thou^ in haunts o'er^row: i 
With dank, damp weeds, bsneath the mooMering siCHi- 

Slept the fell scorpion by the serpent's ade; 
To him 'twas given, on Davids regal throoe. 

To hail that Prince whose glory's flowii^ tide 
Should bear fiKXU lauePs land its blessings &r and wide 

To him *twas given, tlirou^ time's dim vista kd= 
To mark the regal stem of J@se rke. 



BOOK IV. 103 

Strike its deep roots, its waving branches spread, 
With fruit the earth, with fragrance fill the skies, 

'Twas his to trace in vision'd mysteries 

Messiah whom the ransom'd earth shall bless, 

Whom, with adoring hearts, and wondering eyes. 

All nations, saved, shall joyously confess, [ness. 

Jehovah's righteous Bbanch, the Lord our righteous- 



Borne by ruthless foes away 
Far beyorad Euphrates' flood, 

Where the pining captives sti'ay, 
Banisk'd from the house of God, 

Who is this that paces slow, 

Full of zeal and full of wo ? 

Priestly son of Buzzi, hear. 
Turn, Ezekiel, turn thine eye ! 

Lo, the glorious God is near, 
Meets thee in his majesty ! 

Listen ! bow with prostrate awe . 

Fiery steeds his chariot draw ! 

Seraphs flash in flames along. 
Cherubim his way prepare- 

Hark ! their rustling pinions strong 
Thunder on the troubled air ! 

Loud as ocean's stormy roar 

Breaking on the cavern'd shore. 

From a cloud by whirlwinds driven^ 
Dark, surcharged from borean skies.. 

Brightness as of amber heaven, 
Fiery forms resplendent rise, 

Broad their burnish'd wings display. 

Speed as lightnings on their way. 

Bursting on the dazzled sight, 
Rings of glory onward roll. 

Living wheels, omniscient, brighf. 
Searching to the inmost soul: 
10 



104 Messiah's kingdom. 

Dreadful, dreadful, see, they rise, 
Touch the earth, and meet the skies ! 

Wide the firmament expands, 
Pure, transparent, terrible ! 

Higher, higher, higher stands, 
Higher than archangels dwell. 

In empyreal heights, alone. 

All unveil'd the sapphire throne. 

Lo, the crystal pavement glows, 

Kindled to a sea of gold ! 
Him from whom that glory flows, 

Angels tremble to behold 5 
Yet a human foi-m He bears, 
Adam's rescued nature shares. 

With the sapphire's brilliant blue. 
Brightest amber beaming blends, 

Takes the rainbow's tranquil hue, 
Round the throne, transparent, bends 

Flames of splendour mount above, 

Flames of spendour dov^'nward move. 

'Tis the glory of the Lord, 

Temper'd by the covenant sign. 

Mournful captive ! hear the word 
Issuing from the eternal shrine ! 

Take the scroll, though words of wo 

Cause thy bitterest tears to flow. 

Mortal ! dost thou faint with dread ? 

Trembling, from that eye retire ? 
He shall raise thee from the dead, 

New and hallow'd life inspire. 
Feel the Spirit's quickening might, 
Stand and view the glorious sight. 

Herald, hark ! he bids thee go, 
Speaks Jehovah from on high I 

" Prophet ! let thy people know 
Heaven's offended majesty, 

Swift, the sword of vengeance draws 

Stern, requites insulted laws. 



BOOK IV. 105 



'^' Yet my ministers of wrath 
Wait till thou tlie way prepare ; 

Mercy stays the march of Death, 
Bids the slaughtering weapon spare. 

Till thy warning trumpet cry. 

Victim, turn ! the foe is nigh! 

'''Firm as adamant thy brow. 
Stern, against the rebels bear ; 

Vigilant, as dauntless, thou, 
Undismay'd, my word declare. 

Watchman! on the rampart stand; 

Sound the blast at my command, 

" Say, Return, return and live ! 

Sinners, yet avert your doom I 
Mercy lingers to foi'give, 

Ere the thi'eatening sword consume. 
Bright expands yon beauteous sign, 
Tokening clemency Divine." 
Sudden swells the solemn hymn, 

Voices on the silence break ; 
Rustling winds of seraphim. 

Rolling wheels as thunders shake. 
Sounds as rushing waters rise. 
Loud as raptures of the skies. 

Bright o'er Chebar's ruffled stream 
Glanced Jehovah's car of fire, 

Sparkling lights reflected gleam 
Heavenward as its steeds retire. 

Sink, sublime, in distant skies, 

Seraphs' stately symphonies. 

By the Spirit borne on high, 

Brought to Salem's trembling towei'S, 
Prophet, pour the piteous cry. 

Lo, the insatiate sword devours ? 
Lo, the fire of wrath Divine 
Kindles Heaven's deserted shrine ! 

From the infant's moaning cries, 
From the mother's anguish, wild, 



106 Messiah's kingdom, 

O, avert thy weeping eyes ! 

Judah sinks in dust defiled, 
Jacob's star in darkness sets. 
God tiis chosen race forgets. 

Yet amid this dreary night, 

Lo, a fairer vision waits ! 
Zion's temple rises bright. 

Wide expands its spacious gates. 
To his consecrated shrine 
Mild returns the Guest Divine. 

On the altar's hallow'd pile 

Fires, by heaven enkmdled, glovv ; 

Gushing springs of life, the while, 
From the sanctuaiy flow ; 

Higher rise, and broader sweep. 

Pour their fulness to the deep. 

Ocean, .through its vast expanse, 
Feels the vital influence spread ; 

Where the swelling floods advance, 
Life and health their \vaters shed , 

All within those depths that move 

Glad their quickening virtue prove. 

Planted by Jehovah's hand, 
Fringing that immortal flood, 

Trees their beauteous boughs expand . 
Such in Eden, erst there stood, 

Guarded by the seraph's sword, 

Now, for health, for life, restored. 

Now restored to all mankind, 
Stranger tribes with Israel come, 

Claim the lot by Heaven assign'd. 
Seek in Canaan's bounds their home ^ 

Seek tiie covenant blessing there. 

Seek in Abraham's grace to share. 

Strangers come ; those courts Divine 
Open for all nations stand ; 



BOOK IV. 107 



Offerings at Jehovah's shrine, 

Borne from every Gentile land, 
Fragrant, as from Israel rise, 
Grateful, to the opening skies. 

Prophet ! though thy favour'd eyes 
Gaze on scenes of distant years, 

Dim in vision'd mysteries 

Though Messiah's march appears. 

Yet his course is onward still, 

Grace and nature work his will, 

Borean tempests hurthng loud, 
Lightnings in their fiery flight. 

Cherub hosts, or spirits proud, 
Mortal or immortal might. 

Urge the wheels at his command, 

Curb'd, confess his strong right hand. 

Earth, convulsed, in pangs shall reel, 
Heaven before his presence flee, 

Death the grasp of Vengeance feel, 
Hell its Judge in terror see ; 

Steadfast shall his truth remain, 

Changeless his eternal reign. 



Daughter of Zion, weep ! Thy sun is set ; 
Thy palmy groves their tuneful songs forget j 
No more the minstrel's harp its music pours 
By soft Siloah's stream, or Jordan's shores ; 
Impending darkness shrouds Moriah's hill ; 
A.11, even the wailing voice of Gi'ief, is still ; 
Dim, smouldering fire 'midst reeking embers dies ; 
Even glutted Slaughter from the ruin flies; 
Nor planet cheers the earth, nor star illumes the skies. 

Thou art chastised, but not rejected ; left 
To feel thy infamy, yet not bereft 
Of His all-pitying tenderness who hears 
The sigh of sorrow, and regards the tears 
Shed by the desolate, when struggling Grief 
Looks round in vain, in search of earth's relief. 

10* 



108 Messiah's kingdom. 

He saw thy limbs with galling fetters bound 

A captive on Chaldea's ruthless ground. 

He saw thy sons o'er proud Euphrates bend ; 

Saw their full sorrows to the stream descend, 

While on the willows' pendant branches hung 

Those harps to v;hich their earliest hymns were sung ; 

When joyous hearts attuned in happier days 

Exulting anthems to Jehovah's praise. 

He saw, and heard, when, pi'oud in impious mirth, 

The taimting heathen, while thek teai's to earth 

Distill'd as evening dews, sweet songs required; 

Such songs as Zion's festal scenes inspired. 

Ah ! can such music flow in stranger lands ? 

Ah ! can such strings be touch'd by captive hands ? 

There is a fire, a quenchless fire, that glows 
Even where the flood with whelming torrent flows ; 
There is a fire, whose mild and lambent flame 
Remains 'midst rocking elements the same. 
The waters drown it not, nor boisterous wind 
Extinguishes : its altar is the mind, 
The heart, where Love's celestial ardour burns, 
And toward its source in seraph zeal returns. 
By Heaven enkindled, tliitherward aspire 
Its holy radiance, and its quickening fire ; 
Yet spreads benign its cheering warmth around, 
Pervades tlie sterile, thaws the frozen, groimd ; 
With brightening splendour gilds the deepest gloom j 
Surmounts a frowning world, and triumphs o'er the tomb« 

Beloved Daniel ! in thy patriot breast 

Such was tire pure, the quenchless flame that glow'd ; 
Thy yearning heart with grief was press'd, 
Thine eyes with bitter tears o'erflowed, 
Thy waking hours, thy midnight rest, 

The vision of sad Salem's wrongs possess'd. 

Anointed prophet ! o'er thy sacred page 
The wondering eye, the heart admiring strays ; 
Captive and courtier, saint and sage, 
'Twas thine in youth, 'twas thine in age. 
To teach tlie world Jehovah's ways, 

And form barbarian lips to sounds of praise. 



BOOK IV. 109 

On thee Heaven dei^n'd its choicest gift to shower, 
Wisdom, which triumph'd o'er the arts of hell. 

When in a fierce and fi-enzied hour, 

The victims of tyrannic power, 

Chaldea's dark magicians fell, 
'Tvvas thine to sooth the storm, the mystic dream to tell. 

Champion of Truth ! before thy awful speech 
Even proud blaspheming Folly stood dismay'd ; 
Thy firm, yet. mild, reproof could reach 
The sternest hearts, and wisdom teach 
To those whose terrors prostrate laid 

The subjugated earth beneath their baleful shade. 

Exalted or depress'd, 'twas thine to bear 
Thy equal mind above the thi'ones of kings. 

In captive Zion's grief to share, 

To pour thy soul in pleading prayer. 

To rise on i-apt Devotion's wings, 
And learn, from angel guides unseen, unearthly things. 

Angels, associates not for thee unmeet. 
Became thy kind companions in distress, 

When Envy, to entrap thy feet, 

By fraudful rancour and deceit, 
Arm'd tyrant Power against thy holiness, 
And from the lion's den bade thee thy faith confess. 

Before thine eyes in mystic vision pass'd 
The rising, falling kingdoms of this world ; 
To earth the thrones of princes cast, 
The floods of judgment rolling fast. 
Heaven's starry lights to darkness hurl'd, 

And in the sacred shrine the eagle's wings unfurl'd. 

These were terrestrial scenes, though dark and dread, 
And curtain'd by the mists of distant years ; 

But thou, beloved seer, wast led 

To mingle with the assembled dead, 
To mark their rapturous hopes, their torturing fears, 
While Judgment rear'd its throne above dissolving spheres. 

Thou saw'st the Judge that awful throne assume, 
The myriad tlu-ong that in his presence knelt, 



110 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM, 

The open books of fearfiil doom, 
The iiery flood, the deepening- gloom ; 
And strange the pang tby spirit felt, [dealt. 

When Judgment's gleaming swcMrd on Guilt h is Tengeanee 

•Twas on Messiah's foes that vengeance fell : 

They perish'd iirom His eye of kindling flame. 
Who once vrith mortal weakness deign'd to dwell. 
And snSering man became. 
Twas thine, O greatly loved, to tell 
Why mercy stoop'd so low : 
To thee archangels deign'd to sho\y 
The mystery of grace, of lave inefiable. 

Thy yearning heart in prayer to Heaven appeals. 
Upon thy sight dim signs in substance fede ; 

Vision and prophecy is seal*d. 

Eternal nghteousness reveal'd. 

Atonement tor transgression made. 
And God's stupendous grace to all mankind display'd. 

Thou saw'st Messiah's destined days of wo. 
And on thy view his glories radiant rose. 

To him the world's dominions flow. 

All power is his above, below ; 
His saints his dazzling train compose. 
Nor change his everlasting empire knows. 

Rest, favour'd seer, among the righteous dead ; 

Rest, till Time's sliding sands ^heir course harenm ;- 

Then shall thine orb its influence s'-ed. 

Resplendent as yon glorious sur; . 

Rest on tiie quiet lap of earth. 

Till, summon'd to a second birch. 
The trump of God shall break tiiy mortal sleep. 

And thou rejoicing stand. 
Effulgent, in thy lot at his right hand. 
And there, with all the wise, an endless Sabbath keep. 



Who can coont the stars of night, 
Sparklii^ in the wilds of space ' 



BOOK IV. Ill 

Every ray of dazzling light 

Upward to its fountain trace ? 
'Midst a galaxy of beams, 
Sum or separate the streams ? 

O'er the spangled heavens the eye 

Wanders with intensest gaze ; 
Q.uick the ethereal deeps supply 

Gems that gild, and fires that blaze ; 
Eager still, it still explores. 
Orb OH orb its splendour pours. 

So, from wisdom's sacred sphere, 

Bursts a flood of glorious lights 
Cluster'd gems of truth appear, 

Brighten on the searching siglrt. 
Who can covmt the suns that blaze, 
Separate the blended rays? 

All from one Eternal Source, 

Kindled into quickemng flame 
Upward in reflective course, 

Seek the Day-Spring whence they came. 
Mingle in effulgence bright, 
Form Messiah's crown of light. 

Substance of the mystic sign. 

Subject of prophetic song, 
Flows from him the light Divine, 

Light that leads his Church along, 
Guides her through the desert's gloom, 
Bursts on brighter scenes to come. 

Faith! 'tis thine, v.-ith steadfast eye, 
Fix'd on truth's resplendent sphere, 

Led by guiding prophecy, 
Glad to view salvation near, 

Glad to hail Messiah's day, 

Bless his universal sway. 

Searching, with the seers of old, 

With the seraphim on high, 
All the Spirit's voice foretold, 

AH redemption's mystery ; 



112 Messiah's kingdom. 

Thine it is to mark the sign, 
Prelude of the light Divine. 

All redemption's travail wroughtT 
Each mysterious type fulfiU'd, 

All the law, the prophets taught. 
All paternal Justice will'd ; 

Faith ! 'tis thine to wait the end, 

Calm, Messiah's march attend. 

Now, even now in matchless might, ' 
Arm'd against his impious foes, 

Onwai'd to the fearful fight 

Forth the glorious Conqueror goes ^ 

Truth surrounds his cinctured reins. 

Righteousness his sword sustains. 

Ye, the poor, in him who trust. 
Ye, the meek, who bless his sway, 

Ye shall own his judgment just, 

Shielded in that di-eadful day; ' \:"' 

Shielded when his burning breath 

Smites his foes with blasts of death. 

Judgment, sheathe the glistering blade ? 

Lo, the Conqueror mounts his throne. 
Every foe is captive laid ; 

Gentlest Mercy rules alone. 
Hush ! the sounds of battle cease ! 
All is love, and light, and peace ! 

From the spoiler's bands released, 
Rests his Church beneath his care ; 

Nature's enmity hath ceased, 

All is bright, and bland , and fair ; 

By the gentle infant's side 

Walks the lion in his pride. 

'Tis the reign of guileless love ; 

'Tis the reign of glorious peace ; 
Earth below, as heaven above. 

Hails Messiah's glad increase. 
Broad and deep his blessings spread, 
As I'ollinff waves o'er ocean's bed. 



BOOK l\\ 113 

Yesj the living waters flow, 

Spread refreshment o'er the world. 
Hail, Messiah ! every foe, 

From usurp'd dominion hurPd, 
At thy footstool bends the knee, 
Earth and heaven bow down to thee 1 

Hail! beneath thy glorious rest 

Weary Gentiles find repose. 
Hail ! around thy banner blest, 

Israel's wandering outcasts close. 
Ruling on thy priestly throne, 
All their One Deliverer own. 

Haste the hour, the hour foretold, 

All thy oracles fulfil ! 
Let the earth thy reign behold. 

Bend the nations to thy will ; 
Mercy let the aliens prove, 
Touch the sceptre of thy love- 

Thou, who didst to prophets speak, 

Teach our fathers things unknown, 
Who, the lost to save and seek, 

Stooping from thy glorious throne^ 
Didst in mortal weakness shrine. 
Life, and light, and love Divine :— 

Thou, whose fiat form'd the world, 

Non-existence call'd to life, 
Broad and bright yon heavens unfurl'd. 

Harmonized chaotic strife. 
Clothed with grace the beauteous earth, 
Gave immortal natures birth : — 

Thou, before whose puissant word 

Heaven shall melt, and earth decay ;— 

Thou, Creator, Saviour, Lord, 
Ruling with resistless sway, 

Shalt thy steadfast truth maintain, 

Nor make thy slightest promise vain" 

Fix'd as thy eternal might, 
O Jehovah, rests thy throne ! 



114 Messiah's kingdom. 

Changeless, boundless, infinite, 

Founded on thyself alone. 
Thy truth is as thy nature sure -, 
Thy word shall as thyself endure. 



Rest, hallow'd choir ! ere long that dawn shall rise 
Which prescient Wisdom to your favour'd eyes 
In mystic vision show'd : with brightening blaze 
Even now the' eternal Sun expands his rays ; 
Evolving leaves the fig tree's branches bear, 
And radiant summer's swift approach declare ; 
When soft and bright the' empurpled fruit shall glovVj 
And Nature's gifts their rich perfection show. 
Heaven gives the presage, earth unfolds the sign, 
Faith antedates the' accomplish'd word Divine, 
When, dazzling, in effulgent grace reveai'd, 
Messiali, with his sainted elders seal'd. 
Shall, glorious, in that purer Salem reign. 
And prophet-bai-ds renew their hallow'd strain, 
Awake the symphonies of heaven, and raise 
Angelic harps to loftier tones of praise ; 
His triumph share, who warr'd like him below, 
Precursors in his sad career of wo ; 
His ministers of grace to future yeai's ; 
Stars, radiant, to illumine distant spheres ; 
Themselves involved in death's nocturnal shade, 
Ere yet the sun his glorious beams display'd : 
Eclipsed awhile, yet Faith's unearthly light 
Disclosed that Day-Spiing to their seai'chiiig sights 
In earnest hope, as those who wait tlie morn, 
To chase the sadness of a night forlors, 
So turn'd, expectant, toward that brightening ray 
The prophets' eyes, and hail'd approaching day. 
When Zion's watchmen eye to eye shall see ; 
When veiling sign and vision'd mystery 
No more shall shroud the uncreated Light ; 
But heaven's own splendour to tlieir wondering sight 
Reveal his glory, dimly seen of old, 
And show that purpose wrought, their mystic themes fore- 
told. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM 

BOOK V. 



Princes and atatus may carry on wars and negotiations with one an 
other; while He who rules all tilings, makes every event subser- 
vient to the great design of spreading the kingdom of his Son. 

Dean Milncr. 



n 



ARGUMENT. 

Babylon brouglit to desolation by ihe Divine judgments. — 
Its destruction the signal of the deliverance of the an- 
cient Church from captivity. — Zion^ song of praise foi 
the righteous retributions of Jehovah, in requiring ol 
her oppressors the blood shed in Jerusalem, and in ex 
acting vengeance for the destruction of his temple. — 
Summons to the nations to assemble for the accomplish- 
ment of the purpose of Divine justice on the devotee 
city. — God's awful denunciations respecting it. — He wh( 
controls the stormy elements, and employs them as hit 
instruments, marshalled the armies of Cyrus, and gavf 
success to the unwonted means by which he obtainec 
possession of Babylon. — The nocturnal feast. — Belshaz^ 
zar. — Daniel. — Interpretation of the mysterious writing 
and denunciation of Divine wrath. — Immediate execu- 
tion of portended judgm.ent by the midnight entrance o 
the Persian armies, and the death of the impious king.— 
Ode.— Exultation of earth and hell over the fall of Ba- 
bylon. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM 
BOOK V, 



Such events as these became the subjects of prophecy, because theix 
conFequences touched the state of the true religion.™ i/ora/ej^. 



Proud Babylon ! beneath thine iron yoke 
No more the captive groans ! The ruthless stroke 
Of Elam's sword hath smitten thy strong arm, 
And fell'd thy dragon standard. Wild Alarm, 
That raved around thy palaces, to Death 
Hath yielded up her short and panting breath. 
Now dim and reeking lies that fiery brand 
That gave to desolating flame the land 
Intoxicate with blood, whose furious pride 
Omnipotence with all its bolts defied. 

He hath rebuked thy loftiness, who turns 
From Arrogance in scorn ; indignant spurns 
The impious challenger, whose boast defies 
The shaft that from his bow of judgment flies. 
He hath rebuked thee, Babylon ! despoil'd 
Thy glittering crown, thy gorgeous purple soil'd, 
Forced from thy ruthless grasp the trembling prey. 
And turn'd the sword on thee, so prompt to slay. 
No more thy walls with rattling chariots ring ; 
No more thy gates their brazen lustre fling ; 
O'er thy lone streets no busy footstep strays, 
Nor strangers, curious, throng thy desert ways: 
Thy princes mount not now their thrones of pridej 
Nor joyous bridegroom hails his blooming bride. 
The shield is vanish'd from thy stately halls ; 
The owl, lone hooting, from thy watchtower calls ; 



lis Messiah's kingdom. 

Nor voice of song, nor tIoPs festive sound. 

Greets the full board, with sumptuous banquets crown'd. 

On gilded roofs no glistening toi-ches blaze ; 

Norlmipid spring troni crystal fountain plays : 

No gentle dews relresh thy roseate bowers ; 

Fellreptiles nestle 'niidst thy wither'd dowers ; 

And, rank, where Eden once in beauty smiled, 

Spread lurid aconite, and hemlock wild. 

Dai-k frowns dim Night, amid thy ruins drear. 

On Death and Silence, save her startled ear 

Receive the wild dog's howl, the bittern's moan. 

The liiTers roar, or cormorant's doleful groan. 

Or satyr's cry, whose foul fantastic tread. 

In dance obscene, by spectred demons led. 

Mocks Desolation m her dull domain, 

Who o'er the foi?nless waste holds unmolested reign.. 



PRorD Babylon is fallen ! Awake ! awake ! 
JiKlah, thy sweet harp take 
From the sad willow's bough ' 
Hark! there's a voice that bids thee make 

MeL?dious music now ! 
Arise ! thy golden tresses shake. 
The yoke from oil thy shoulder break, 
And clasp' the diadem around thy regal brow. 

Judah, wake the tunefitl lyre ; 

Soft the silver trumpet blow ; 
Solemn praise the strain inspire. 
To Him whose hand hath laid the spoiler low ;- 
" Righteous art thou, O Lord, 

And fiuthfui is thy word ! 
Jacob vet thy grace shall share : 
Bending firom thy glorious throne. 
Thou hast heard the suppliant's prayer: 
'TIS thine to pity, thine to spare ; 
Again thou dost the outcasts own. 
Long beneath the yoke they bow'd, 

Groan'd oppress'd, despised, abhorr'd ; 
Now thou hast abased the proud ; 
Righteous are thy judgments, Lord I'- 



BOOK Vc 119 

Daiiglilcr of Zion, wake! Let chord and ohell 
Thy glad rejoicings tell! 
Priests, sonorous trumpets blow. 
As erst, with solemn strains and slow, 
Ye heralded the ark round falling Jericho ' 
Shout ! for a mightier city falls, 
A more relentless foe is slain ! 
And lo, like Jericho, its walla 

Shall never rise again. 
Shout ! as those ransom'd ones, whose voice 

Bade desert wilds i-ejoice, 
When from dark b^gypt's stormy sea 
Rising triumphantly, 
They pour'd, in loftiest lays. 
Their raptured ecstasies of holy praise. 

It is the year of vengeance ! Lo, the cry, 

The piteous cry, of blood hath reach'd to heaven ! 
Jehovah's fiery falchion flames on high ; 
Leviathan, by its sore puissance riven, 
Convulsive writhes beneath the stroke Divine ; 
The stroke of vengeance for His holy shrine 
In desolation laid ; 
For infancy's unpitied moans, 
For virgins' sighs, for parents' groans, 

The prey of rapine made ; 
For trembling age, whose silver hair 
Relentless Murder scorn'd to spare ; 
For judgment spurn'd, for truth made void, 
For righteous Heaven blasphemed, for suffering earth de- 
stroy'd. 

Forth from the inmost shrine 

Was heard the call Divine : — 
" Media, malce thine arrows bright, 

Gird upon thine arm the shield. 
Bend the bow with sinewy might. 

Spear, and lance, and falchion wield ! 
Raise on Babel's ramparts broad 

The standard of her conquering foes ■ 
'Tis the vengeance of the Lord, 

'Tis He their strength o'erthrows ? 
11 + 



120 Messiah's kingdom* 

Persia, bring thy warlike steeds, 
Snorting as with breath of fire, 
Where the sound of battle leads. 
Rushing with a warrior's ire ! 
Mountain tribes, the call attend ! 

Listen, all ye sea-girt coasts ! 
Here your niarshall'd armies send, 
Summon'd by the Lord of hosts ! 
For now Chaldea's ruthless land 
Shall reel beneath my hand ! 
Her mountain strength, 
Subdued at length, 
No more shall vex the labouring earth ! 
Nor wrathful ire, 
As liquid fire, 
Burst from her crater'd summit forth ! 
For lo, the'eternal hills I shake ! 
Her massive pile from earth's foundations break ! 
Down from her ancient rocks indignant hurl'd, 

The burning terror of the world 
A strengthless, formless mass shall lie ; 
Nor corner nor foundation-stone supply ! 
But desolate in crumbling ruin sleep, 
A dark volcano, round whose arid steep 
The angry storms of heaven in furious conflict sweep." 

Jehovah spake the word : 

The listening nations heard. 
Sudden on the mountain breeze. 

Rushing sounds tumultuous came, 
Standards waved as forest trees, 

Lances caught the solar flame, 
Kingdoms from the utmost earth 

Flew as eagles to their prey. 
Whirlwinds at the tempest's birth 

Mark less terribly their way. 

He spake, whose voice on high. 
Dread rolling through the dark and troubled sky, 
Bids multitudinous waters sweep 
Impetuous down the cragged steep ; 
Who wings the lightning's shaft with death, 
Collects the vapours by his breath. 



BOOK W 121 



And oer the fruitful plains 
in rushing deluge pours his torrent rains. 
He spake, beneath whose potent spell 

The treasured whirlwind sleeps, 
Or swoops with dragon pinions fell, 

Amid the stormy deeps. 
Jehovah spake, who on that day 
Marshall'd his hosts in dread array ; 
Nor yet to man the victory gave, 
Nor crown of valour to the brave. 



^Twas He who stern in judgment stood 
Beside the Euphratean flood. 
When Persian Cyrus turn'd its tide 
O'er Babel's plains, and pastures wide ; 
When marching through the oozy way, 
The warrior hosts in bright array 

Toward Nimrod's ancient towers advanced ; 
O then what battle shouts were raised ! 
What clang of arm.s ! What torches blazed ! 

What lightnings on their banners glanced ! 
Unloosed by His o'ermastering might, 
When Belus' brazen portals bright 

Their ponderous leaves outspread, 
Avenger of apostate pride, 
Jehovah was the warrior's Guide, 
And he to conquest led. 

Mirth's frantic song had ceased : ' 

Death to the impious feast 
Came, an unbidden, an unv/elcome, guest. 

Yet not unheralded ; 
For lo, a strange precursor, dread. 

Warns of impending fate. 
The festal board rich banquets crown'd, 
Gluick pass'd the mantling goblet round, 

Beshazzar laughs elate ; 
Princes and nobles round him throng, 
Voluptuous Beauty swells the song. 
And threads the dance in mazy round, 
With bacchanalian chaplets crown'd. 



122 Messiah's kingdom. 

Inebriate Folly earth defiles, 

Inebriate Pride descends to hell ; 
When sparkling wine deceitful smileSj 
The Circean tempter far repeh 
Not so, fierce Babel's king : 
Insatiate, with continuous draught 
The deep, delusive bowl he quaff'd, 
Unmindful of the secret serpent's sting, 

Till swift the maddening poison wrought, 
Proud, pi'ompting to his impious thought 

Judea's captive land, 
A thousand slaves around him wait, 
And bear, as from the lip of Fate, 
The foul, blaspheming reveller's command. 
Through arch and aisle loud echoes ring- — 

" Haste ! hither bring 
The gorgeous spoils of Salem's wasted shrine 
Pledge wc Chaldea's gods with wine, 
Who to our arms the victory gave ! 
For who is He that could not save 
The votaries of his power Divine ?" 



Obsequious, at the tyrant's call, 
'Midst idol orgies, through that taintured hall, 
Were Zion's treasures borne : — with hand defiled. 
And frantic gleam of haggard transport wild, 

Bel's darkling hierophant upraised 
The shining vase, the flagon bright, and praised 
Dim demon powers, in muttered mysteries. 
Then high the rich libation pour'd 
Chaldea's vanities adored, 
And wafted spicy odours to the skies- 
Around that impious board 
The hallow'd vessels pass'd ; 
And revelry in laughter roar'd. 

And clasp'd the goblet fast. 
Loud rose, and louder still, the song, 
And lighter wheel'd the mazy throng- 
But who on that voluptuous feast 
In mystic form intrudes ? 



BOOK V. 123 



The torches waste, the song hath ceased, 

The startled multitudes 
Partake their monarch's wild aifright, 
And gaze on that portentous sight. 

What mean those burning lines? 
What hand engraves unearthly signs ? 
With quivering lip, and eyeball glazed, 
The king upon that vision gazed ; 
Stood, terrified in mien, aghast. 
And tremulous, as aspen in the blastj, 

Pondering its strange behest ; 
Yet, in the presage of a guilty breast, 
Reading its dread portent amazed. 

Augurs and sages, hither haste, and tell 
What means that fearful spectacle ? 
No : all in vain your baffled art, 
Nor hell itself can aid impart ! 
Hence ! to the ministers of Heaven 
Are holy inspirations given : 
Heaven's mysteries they alone unfold ; 
Yet they with wild excess no converse hold ; 
For Wisdom shuns the scene ; 
The dissonant cry 
Of frantic revelry 
Appals her startled ear ; 
Her sainted choice, the tranquil home, seren^, 
Where Friendship, Virtue, Charity appear. 

While princes, sages view'd, perplex'd, 

The style by mystic fingers held, 
And vainly search'd the wondrous text 

Which every curious eye repelPd : 
While horror reign'd, and wild affright, 

In every panting bosom round ; 
While dimly gleam'd the torches' light, 

And lute and viol strew 'd the ground ; 
Before the king a stranger stood, 

Of grave and venerable air : 
He came, the messenger of God, 
I By guilty terror summoned there. 

[' His brow was firm, his eye was bright, 

Yet tempered both by age and grace ; 



24 Messiah's kingdom. 

His sainted spirit, pour'd its light 
Of heaven-born splendours round his fact 

He bore a majesty that rose 
O'er years, captivity, and grief; 

And Daniel, een by Judah's foes, 

Was ha,ird of Wisdom's sons the chief- 

As, on the deepening storm, 
A seraph's awful form 
Sublime on lightning wing descends, 
Whose voice the gather'd tempest rends ; 
So stood amid that gloomy throng, 

Heaven's pure, reproving angel bright j 
So roll'd deep thunders from liis tongue;^ 
So flash'd his words with light. 

He traced in those mysterious signs 

The balance in Jehovah's hand ; 
And read in Judgment's graphic lines 

The lightness of a guilty land. 
He saw the Persian warrior nigh, 
Heard Elam's shouting archery. 
And to the king's astounded ear 
Proclaim'd the bursting tempest near : 
Then, mantled in his prophet's vest, 
The prophet's fervours fired his breast ; 
In solemn speech, by Heaven inspired. 

His lip denounced imperious Pride ; 
Guilt from his piercing eye retired, 

Its searchings of remorse to hide,] 
Amid that wild and reckless scene, 

Dishonour'd Salem's treasures lay; 
Sad grief o'erhung his brow serene. 

And words of thunder urged their way, 

" From him whose impious pride 
Hath Heaven's eternal rule denied, 
Its gifts contemn'd, its greatness spurnM, 
Nor wisdom e'en from judgment learn'd ;: 

From him Jehovah's power 
Wrests, in this dark, this destined hour. 
His kingdom wide, his regal throne. 

Now, for his Name profaned, 

His hallow'd vessels stain'd. 



BOOK V, ^ 125 

Even now, he makes his nghLeous judgiiient known. 
To thee, O king ! that vision sent 

Proclaims fulfiU'd thy nunibei'd hours j 
This night shall seal the dread portent, 
And quench the light in Babel's towers." 

Dark roU'd Belsha,zzar'3 eye of pride, 

His quivering lip convulsive wrought ^ 
Viewless the mystic fingers glide, . 
Their record fill'd his labouring thought 
Abash'd he stood. 
While conscience, faithful register of God, 
Attested every charge the warning prophet brought. 

Short was that warning hour. 

And short the power 
Of self-convicting shame : 
Ere midnight's dreary watch was past, 
Like demons on the murky blast, 
The banner'd hosts of desolation came. 

Bright rose to heaven the crackling flarnej 

The thirsty sword was drench'd with blood , 
It blotted out Belshazzav's name ; 

And where the sumptuous palace stood. 
Confusion stretch'd her devious line, 
And ruin murmur'd, "Wrath Divine!" 

Strike the harp for the fall of the proud ! 
The oppressor of Jacob is low ! 
The head of the mighty is bow'd, 
And his diadem circles the brow of the foe» 

Strike the harp ! for the staff of his power, 
The sceptre, is wrcnch'd from his hand ! 
His wrath was the wrath of an hour, 
But how hath the violent ceased from the land \ 

He is fallen ! and no helper was nigh, 
No, not one in distress to befriend \ 
The nations stood silently by, 
And rejoiced in the stroke, as they saw it descend. 



126 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

Strike the harp ! for the city of strengUi, 
Whose towers the invaders defied, 
Is given to destruction at length, 
And the robber hath seized on her treasures of pride. 

Strike the harp I for the earth is at rest ; 
It warbles the carols of morn ; 
The eagle is pluck'd from his nest, 
And his rock of munition by earthquakes uptorn. 

Strike tlie harp ! for the forests rejoice, 
O daughter of Zion, with thee : 
And Lebanon utters liis voice ; 
From the axe of the feller his cedars are free. 

But hark ! in.this choms of joy, 
This triumph o'er terror and pride, 
Notes, such as ye never employ, 
In concert exulting, with yours are allied. 

Stay the hand of the minstrel ! and cease. 
Ye choristers, swell not your song ! 
Thou mountain of Lebanon, peace ! 
For the caverns of Hades your echoes prolong t 

See ! bell from her deepest recess 
Is moved the dread stranger to greet ! 
Her dead she disturbs, to express 
Their terrible pleasure when reprobates meet. 

See I the chief ones of earth from their thioneSj 
Firm fix'd as the pillars of hell, 
Upraised to salute him with gi'OEUis, 
Or murmur a welcome with demons to dvvelL 

Hark ! the tliunder that bursts from the cloud. 
And startles the shipmen at night. 
Less fearfully miurmms, and loud. 
Than tliis dirge of the dead for the first-born of might. 

Lo ! the kings of the nations draw near :■ — 
*• Coraest tliou in these caverns to liide? 



BOOK V. 127 

The worm is thy company here, 
'Tis thy couch of repose, and thy purple of pride. 

"Ha! thy pomp is brought down to the grave, 
The noise of thy viols hath ceased ; 
The monarch is vile as the slave, 
And darkness prevails in the hall of the feast. 

" The star of the morning is dim, 
It sets in the suburbs of hell ! 
t Aspiring to glory supreme, 
From the circle of heaven to chaos it fell ! 

" Is this the oppressor that shook 
The nations with terrible sway ? 
Who tremblingly shrunk from his look ? 
Ye spirits of darkness, come hither and say, 

" Is this the destroyer, whose breath 
Corrupted the fruits of the ground ? 
Whose prisoners wither'd in death ? 
Ye victims, reply from your caverns profound ! 

" Lo, the kings of the nations, even here, 
In the house of their solitude laid, 
With ensigns of glory appear, 
And the diadem gleams in the sepulchre's shade. 

" But thou, who thy people hast slam, 
Who hast cover'd thy land with a cloud, 
The grave casts thee out with disdain ; 
No burial is thine but the feet of the crowd ! 

"No herald emblazons thy fame, 
Nor trophies thy memory crown ; 
For the lot of the wicked is shame, 
-^nd the seed of the sinner is robb'd of renown," 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 
BOOK VL 



The touitse of Divine opsraijon io thevvoiid iiabjroiu age to aga been 
a inaniieKtation of the Divine chaiacter, continually receiving uew 
and stronger ilkistralions to the coinplelion of the Christian rere- 
latiou by the ministry of Chrigt, and his inspired followers, and 
still placing itself in blighter light, and more impressive aspectfj, 
as the schenis of hurnau redemption runs on to its consumraation, 

-' Watsoji, 



ARGUMENT. 

God, eternal, self-existent, infinite, ineffable.— The Foun- 
tain of being. — His nature and counsels inscrutable. — 
His image in creation obliterated by sin, — Dark and de- 
solate condition of man. — Incarnation of the Son of God, 
for the manifestation of the Divine character, and the re- 
demption of the world. — Jesus Christ came without the 
insignia of earthly grandeur, to establish a spiritual 
kingdom, which shall silently and gradually increase, 
until it subjugates the kingdoms of this world. — Angels 
celebi-ate the Saviour's birth. — Worship of the Magi. — 
Introductory ministry of the Baptist. — Messiah's youth, 
baptism, fasting, temptation. — Commencement of his 
ministry in the synagogue at Nazareth. — Impiety of the 
Jews. — Their expectations of a secular kingdom. — Call 
of the disciples. — Doctrines taught by Christ. — God a 
Spirit. — Immortality of the soul. — Resurrection of the 
body. — Judgment. — Providence. — Divine law explained, 
enforced, fulfilled. — Miracles wrought. — Sins forgiven. 
— Transfiguration. — Announcement of approaching suf- 
ferings. — Solemnity of the subject. — The Passion. — The 
Crucifixion. — Portentous consequences. — Deliverance of 
mankind from the power of hell and death. — The Re- 
surrection. — Mary Magdalene. — Angels. — -Charge to 
the disciples. — Ascension. — Mediatorial reign. — Ad- 
vancement of Messiah's kingdom, under the similitude 
of a tree. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM-, 
BOOK VI, 



Wiiea the fulness of the time was come, God seal foiih Lis soii. 

St. Paul. 
No man hath seen God at any time j Ib^ only begotten Son, which ia 
in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared hiijj. St, John. 



INTRODUCTIOIN, 

As joys the traveller who, o'er deserts wide, 

His darkUng path by starry lights hath stcefd- 
To see the sunbeam gild the mountain's side, 

The beauteous heavens of veihng darkness clear'd ^ 
To greet the plains by ripening htirvesls cheer'd, 

Bright dew-drops sparkling in the vale below ; 
Forth from his tent, 'midst woodland beauty rear^d^ 

To mark the husl3andman rejoicing go, 
To prune the empurpled vine, or figs that clustering grow ; 

Even so the Muse, whose long and devious way, 

Through twilight gloom hath lain, or midnight shade. 
In search of sacred Truth's celestial ray, 

Rejoices now to see the shadows fade. 
Effulgent, in majestic streng-th array'd, 

Now bursts the pure unclouded Day-Spring forth. 
Night's lingering mists his quickening beams pervade. 

Exulting nature hails Messiah's birth, fearth» 

'And Peace from heaven descends to dwell with man on 



There ia a light which dims tlie seraph o eye ! 
It, veils that unapproached Majesty, 

12* 



i32 Messiah's kingdom. 

Who, boundless, causeless, infinite, alone, 

Rear'd in eternity his awful throne ; 

Who, ere one vital pulse creation knew, 

Forth from Himself his wondrous being drew, 

Himself comprising all ; within whose mind, 

In bright idea, ere to form confined, 

Lived this fair universe ; beneath whose eye 

Potential life and present bein^ lie. 

The ineffable, whose light on chaos broke ; 

And order, grace, magnificence, awoke, 

And worlds of intellect, and worlds of sense, 

His works of wonder, power, munificence, 

Abroad diffused his glory's gladdening beams, 

And pour'd forth blessing by a thousand streams. 

Who on that Sun's insufferable blaze. 
With eye uncurtain'd, shall presume to gaze ? 
Tread the dim precincts of his inmost shrine. 
Nor, trembling, deprecate the wi-ath Divine ? 
Who shall draw near, and not bewail his pride ? 
Canst thou the lightning's flaming shafts abide? 
Canst thou endure the splendours of that Eye? 
Forbear ! lest blindness curse thy scrutiny I 
O stay ! ere yet his anger's burning breath 
Burst forth to light thee to the shades of death ! 

In depths unfathom'd, lo, Jehovah dwells? 
To none the secret of his name he tells, 
Nor council holds on his mysterious ways 
With saint or seraph. Angels silent gaze, 
Adoring, trace his footsteps in the deep, 
'Midst rolling clouds behold his chariot sweep, 
Yet, all ineffable his wondrous course ; 
Nor eye, nor finite mind, pervades the source 
Whence Mercy, Justice, Doom, Salvation flow, 
Why earth rejoices, fiends lament below, 
Why pitying Love o'er Adam's offspring yearn'd, 
And death U) life, the curse to blessing turn'd. 

Essential glory veils its dazzling beams, 
Yet downward in perennial efllux streams ; 
To earth, to heaven, its holy radiance flows, 
In heaven, on earth, Jehovah's impress shows, 
And claims from all beneath, from all above^ 
Obedient homage and adoring lovo. 



BOOK VI. 133 

His nature on his glorious works impressed, 
On star-sprent skies, on earth's maternal breast. 
On spirits, character'd by gifts Divine, 
His wisdom, goodness, power, reflected, shine, 
And vast creation's countless links proclaim 
His grace transcendent, as conceal'd his Name, 

But man, by sin perverted, sunk in night. 
Nor knew his Name, nor read his works aright. 
Nor Deity amid his wonders saw, 
Nor in his heart retain'd his Maker's law, 
Obscured the glories of the Eternal Mind, 
And wander'd in Delusion's mazes blind. 
Its tangled paths with weary footsteps trod, 
And, inly desolate, the unknown God, 
'Mid clouds of deep impending darkness, sought ; 
Yet, strengthless, wrestled with the labouring thought. 
And pour'd the prompted prayer, and heaved the sigh, 
That some bright beam, some radiant embassy, 
Might rend the veil, benign, to earth descend. 
Restore the living light, and doubts and sorrows end. 

He comes ! his people's hope, the Gentiles' light ! 
Receding angels, on that wondrous sight, 
Astonish'd, gaze ; while, from his inmost shrine, 
The bosom of Paternal Love Divine, 
Essential Deity, with glory crown'd. 
Through vast eternity's unmeasured round, 
The Son, with all the Father's grace replete, 
Passes mysterious forth ! prepared to meet, 
In mortal coil, man's penalty of wo, 
The long-lost bliss, the path of life to show, 
On earth, in all the majesty of love. 
To utter secrets ask'd in vain above. 
Object of earliest faith, of earliest hope ; 
Of promise, symbol, prophecy, the scope ; 
He comes ! and night before his presence flies ; 
Exulting nature hails the opening skies ; 
Heaven stoops to watch the energies of Love ; 
And sacred Justice, bending from above, 
With holy Peace unites in kind embrace ; 
And Truth and Mercy hail the reign of grace^ 

He comes! the spotless shrine receives its Guest ; 
His virgin mother to her wondering breast 



134 Messiah's kingdom. 

Clasps the long-promised Heii% That holy Seedj 

Great Bruiser of the serpent foe decreed, 

Incarnate Deity, on earth appears, 

And God with men his fleshly temple rear?. 

Emmanuel comes! the' Anointed, to proclaim 

The awful glories of Jehovah's name. 

He comes! the Covenant- Angel, to fulfil 

The mystic purpose of the Father's will. 

He comes ! the consecrated Victim, seal'd, 

Announcing ceremonial signs repeal'd. 

The Lamb, before the world's foundation slaui ! 

He comes! to cleanse the deep original stain j 

The ransom of a captived world to pay ; 

To bear the sins of all mankind away. 

Lo, types rejected, holocausts disown'd ; 

Man's mortal guilt uncancell'd, unatoncd ; 

He comes, to heave from earth the direful curse, 

To reconcile an alien universe. 

Messiah comes to die ! Ho comes to rise ; 
To track life's lucid pathway to the skies ; 
To show heaven's pearly gates unbarr'd, and Ddalh 
A crownless captive in the gulf beneath. 
He comes, in all the majesty of grace, 
To teach, to rule, to save, the feUen race ; 
With heavenly lore the untaught mind to fill ; 
Reclaim the wayward from delusive ill ; 
To cheer the mourning breast, sustain the weak, 
The friendless succour, and the lost to seek ; 
To break the captive's chain, new life impart, 
And joy, and blessing, to the humble heart ; 
In every act, in every word benign, 
The great Exemplar of his Church to shine j 
To reunite, in bonds of holiest love, 
Man's ransom'd spirit to its Source above. 

He comes to build his throne ; yet not to bear- 
Earth's ensigns of his regal character. 
No gorgeous purple waits him ; for his hand 
Extends no glittering sceptxe of command. 
His rule is o'er the mind, the heart, the soul, 
The will surrendcr'd to his sweet control. 
On Truth's eternal rock he comes to base 
His changeless kingdom of unfolding grace ; 



BOOK VI, 135 

His edifice of living stones to raise, 

And fill his temple with hi« glory's blaze, 

With silent, ceaseless enerf^y of might, 

Unseen, to sever from its mountain height 

That destined stone, beneath whose massive stroke 

Earth's dark idolatries and pageants broke ; 

Itself stupendous ir\ its strength shall rise, 

A pile majestic towering to the skies ; 

Beneath its adamantine base extend ; 

And o'er the world its sheltering shadow send. 

No Messenger of grace to sects confined, 
He comes the Friend, the Kinsman of mankind ; ' 
Nor clime, nor country circumscribes his love ; 
'Tis free, spontaneous, as those beams above. 
No narrow bounds the stranger Guest repel ; 
The sons of Japhet in his tents shall dwell ; 
No longer in exclusive glory known, 
Beneath his shade shall Israel rest alone ; 
But all in covenant amnesty embraced. 
Earth's weary tribes his feast of mercy taste j 
Gentiles and Jews his equal blessings share ; 
One folded flock beneath one Shepherd's care. 

He comes ! Do princes from their thrones descend ? 
Do suppliant kings the Stranger's state attend ? 
Does earth her splendid palaces prepare, 
Spread the soft couch, the costly banquet rare ? 
With songs of triumph rend the echoing gale. 
Her King's approach with trump and timbrel hail? 
Bid odorous flowers perfume the sacred way, 
Or curling incense round his temjyles play ? 
Greet with the glad salute, the bended knee, 
Proflering meek homage to his Majesty ? 
No : sceptred princes on their couches sleep ; 
Their regal thrones unconscious monarchs keep« 
Earth has no eye to see, no ear to hear. 
No tongue to greet the glorious Stranger near. 
Her whirling orb its restless course pursues ; 
Sense bounds its interests, time contracts its views ; 
Wealth, Pleasure, Pride, their fluttering pinions spread ; 
And Hope, and Vanity, with cobweb thread. 
Weave pictured draperies, whose texture frail 
One glittering moment fans the sportivo gale, 



;i. 



136 Messiah's kingdom. 

Thea flits like filmy gossamer away ; 
An insect's toil on an autumnal day. 

Is all then silent? Does no watchful eye. 
Attendant, mark incarnate Deity ? 
Earth he<?dless rolls, and kings supinely sleep , 
But hell is roused, and angels vigils keep. 
Amazement seizes on the powers of night ; 
Admiring seraphs mark the wondrous sight, 
And glow with holier love, in tenser awe ; 
From heaven's bright plains their shining ranks withdiav 
And throng, with sounding plumes, the' ethereal way^ 
On Bethlehem's fields to tune the sacred lay, 
To wake with songs divine terrestrial spheres, 
And herald Him, the Star, whose light appears 
With radiance newly risen, on Judah's skies, 
The cradled Babe, that in yon manger lies. 
Lo, nature sleeps, and every tongue is mute ; 
Celestial fires through midnight darkness shoot. 
Not half so bright Arcturus' golden beams, 
Nor glistering Sirius o'er heaven's concave streams. 
One dazzling minstrel leads the choral train ; 
A thousand voices catch the echoing strain ; 
Ten thousand thousand pour their gladdening notes ^ 
From lyre to lyre the mighty music floats ; 
Nor earth till now such sounds harmonious heard ; 
Nor angels hymn'd, smce that Omnific Word 
When He, incarnate now, all potent, spoke, 
And lo, a glorious universe awoke ! 

" Shepherds, ye whose fleecy charge 

Soft on Bethlehem's pastures lie, 
Leave your flocks awhile at large, 

Hear our joyous embassy. 
Fear not, though the gloom of night 
Reddens with unearthly light; 
Fear not, though your tranquil plains 
Echo with unwonted strains ; 
Though our plumed legions near 
All too bright for earth appear. 

Fear not ; for lo, we bring 

Glad sounds of Christ, your Kuig i 

On this auspicious morn, 

In favour'd Bethlehem born, 



BOOK VI. 137 

The Saviour of the world we show, 
And peace proclahUi to man below. 

" Shepherds, seek your infant Lord, 

Not in Herod's gorgeous dome ; 
HC) by highest heaven adored, 
Sojourns in an humbler liome, 
David's Heir a manger holds ; 
The swathe his flexile limbs enfolds.. 
Go, by this appointed sign 
R ecognisc the Guest Divine ; 
Go, worship at his feet, 
Your new-born Saviour greet ; 
Go, spread tlie joyful tidings round ; 
Bid every car receive the sound!" 

Sudden, from tiie cleaving sky, 

Angels throng the hallow'd space , 
Heaven's serapliic minstrelsy 

Ushers in tlie morn of grace. 
Sudden, tongues as flames of fire, 

Voices, as the sovd of song, 
Blcvidcd in lutrmonious quire, 

Pour the raptm'ed notes along ^ 
Anthems, such as clierubs raise. 

Circling bright the' etermd throne, 
Solemn sym[>honies of praise. 
"Glory to the Lloly One! 
Glory to God Most High, 
And peace on earth !" tliey cry. 
Heaven's starry vault returns the song, ) 

While loud and sweet the choral throng ; 

Their pure abounding joys prolong. * 

"Good will to man!" exultant swells 

Their holy ecstasies of love ; 
And, soft, the parting rapture tells 
Of Truth and/Mercy join'd above. 

'Tis past? the hallow'd strains decay; 

The last hosannah gently dies; 
Heaven's shinmg minstrels soar away, 

To sound their triumphs through the skie«. 



138 Messiah's kingdom. 

Morn, with empurpled wings outspread, 

Eclipsed the fading lights above, 
Celestial spheres sweet influence shed, 

And all was harmony and love. 
As if, even yet, that angel band 

Ambrosial fragi-ance there distill'd ; 
That still their wings the ether fann'd, 

That still the air their presence fill'd, 
That still their ecstasies of praise 
Rose, rapturous, in unutter'd lays. 

Yet leave the consecrated scene, 

A more mysterious sight behold ! 
Not angels, bright in dazzUng sheen. 

With wings of flame and harps of gold, 
Are glorious as that Deity 

Who now in infant weakness lies. 
Go, shepherds ! bow the suppliant knee, 
To Him, the Lord of earth and skies. 
Go, highly favour'd, go, 
And hail your King below ! 
To pomp, and power, and pride, 
Is your transcendent privilege denied ; 
To them, no flaming convoy sent, 
No troops of Angels jubilant, 
The birth of the incarnate Saviour show. 
No ; to the meek, Messiah's favours flow ; 
Himself is meekness, and his train 

He gathers from earth's lo'.yly sons ; 
Contemns the lofty and the vain, 

Nor turns to princes on their thrones, 
But to the poor his healing Gospel brings, 
And o'er the desolate extends his mercy's wings. 



Heaven sends its harbingers to hail the morn 
Of glorious promise ; to the Saviour, born 
In mortal weakness, holy songs to raise. 
And lift their triumphs in celestial praise. 
From distant climes, by starry radiance led, 
Their costly gifts Sabean sages spread : 



BOOK VI. 139 

With spicy gums and orient incense greet, 
Pour their rich offerings at the Infant's feet ; 
First fruits of Gentile worsliip grateful bring, 
Adore, in Bethlehem's Babe, Judea's King. 
In Israel's star, earth's promis'd Saviour see, 
And hail the world's Desire, — the incarnate Deity. 

Heaven sends its harbingers. A powerful cry 
In Judah's wilds proclaims Messiah nigh ! 
Bids desert earth its rugged paths prepare 
To meet the royal step of David's Heir. 
'Tis He ! the long-predicted Prophet seal'd, 
The Herald, in Elijah's power reveal'd. 
Ye valleys, rise ! descending mountains, flow ! 
Be still, ye tempests ! cease, ye winds, to blow ! 
"Wait, listening Nature, on that warning voice 
In solemn silence! lonely wilds, rejoice ! 
It speaks salvation near, with sounding cry, 
Commission'd pioneer of Deity ; 
Proclaims the Highest, on his march of grace, 
The Day-Spring rising on the darken'd race. 
Heai', ye who long with faith's transpiercing eye 
Have watch'd the clouds that dim the twiUght sky , 
Hear ; and with Israel's sainted seers rejoice, 
Exultant hearken to that herald voice ; 
it speaks of Him, by patriarchs seen of old. 
Of Him, by prescient prophets long foretold. 
Of Him, the Horn of David's regal line. 
The Seed, to Abraham given by Oath Divine. 
Hear ; and while echoing rocks his strains repeat, 
While sterile earth springs verdant at his feet ; 
Hear ; and to Heaven your glad hosannas pour, 
Jehovah's truth with thankful songs adore. 
Messiah comes ! behold his kingdom nigh ; 
Effulgent brightness gilds the opening sky, 
Death's dreary shades before his beams disperse, 
And love and peace i-estore the universe. 

But sterner tones that voice precursive bears, 
And M ercy's path by Judgment's trump prepares. 
Sounds long and loud the deep reproving cry. 
And vehement, in holy energy. 
Repentance and its hallow'd fruit requires, 
Ere yet the winnowing fan, the purging fires, 

13 



140 Messiah's kingdom^ 

Disperse the chaff, tlie worthless liusk consume, 
And whehn the sinner in approaching doom. 
By Jordan's stream, severe in grace he stands, 
And loud proclaims to Israel's gather'd bands. 
While yet his hand the searching rite applies, 
That Prophet near, whose mightier energies 
The Spirit in baptismal streams shall shed. 
And crown with fire the consecrated head. 

'Mid lowly men a lowly stranger placed, 
Messiah's opening years no splendours graced. 
In barren ground, a frail, untended shoot^ 
The stem of Jesse struck its slender root. 
No curious eye, with keen, observant glance, 
Mark'd the young sapling toward its sti'ength advance, 
Save Mary, watchful mother ; well she knew 
The sacred angel's salutation true. 
And oft and deeply to her pondering thougb-t 
Those solemn words of power and mystery brouglit ; 
Mused on the darkling theme of destinies 
Link'd with her dearest hopes, the fall, the rise, 
Of Israel, in the sacred shrine reveal'd, 
While covenant rites the hallow'd Infant seal'd, 
The mystic sword which toward her bosom turn'd. 
By seers in dimly gleaming light discern'd : 
These oft revolved, maternal hope, or fear, 
The raptured smile, the full o'erflowing tear, v., 
Spontaneous told ; but in her pensive breast 
Slept silent thoughts, to Heaven alone express'd ; 
To Heaven alone ; for earth no commerce shared 
With griefs or joys, but for hei-self prepared. 

Subject to human weakness, human wo, 
A gentle child Messiah dwelt below ; : 

In meek submission own'd parental sway, 
Nor turn'd from nature's voice his ear away ; 
Soft, docile, sweet, yet mystery round him hung, 
Maturest wisdom fill'd his youthful tongue. 
In converse high his Father's work he wrought, 
With sages reason'd, and with doctors taught. 
Deep in his breast, by none but Heaven discern'd, 
Intensest zeal with kindling ardour burn'd, 
Till blazed in holy light the sacred flame, 
And show'd the Day-Spring whence its splendours came. 



BOOK VI. 141 

The sign was given, by Jordan's silver flood, 
While round the Baptist prophet Israel stood ; 
While on his burning lips that mightier name 
Enkindled mystic fires, lo, Jesus came, 
And there the solemn rite baptismal sought. 
Intent in holy prayer and raptured thought. 
Silent he rose from those pure waters bright, 
When, lo ! from opening heaven, in lambent light, 
The dove-like Spirit, hovering, came, and spread 
His wings of glory o'er Messiah's head ; 
While, from the' eternal throne, a voice Divine, 
In awful sanction join'd the mystic sign, 
" Thou art my Son 5 my weil-beloved ; in thee 
The Father rests well-pleased." 

Hail, Trinity ! 
Hail, Father, Son, and Spirit, glorious there 
In concert join'd a rebel race to spare! 
Hail ! Love, and Light, and Grace, and Energy j, 
Which, linking man with God, drew up on high, 
Even to thy throne in heaven, a world that fell 
In guilt and judgment to the depths of hell. 

Attested thus, by solemn witness given, 
The covenant Messenger, the Sent of Heaven, 
Sanction'd and seal'd, to desert wilds he pass'd^ 
To suffer there the long-protracted fast ; 
To meet temptation, subtle, foul, and vain, 
To hold discourse with sorrow, weakness, pain ; 
Hunger, and thirst, and weariness to bear. 
With beasts unhoused, beneath the midnight air ; 
To foil the tempter's arts, though proud and bold, 
And practised long, and prevalent of old ; 
To wield the eternal Spirit's two-edged sword^ 
To prove the authority of truth restored ; 
Heroic Virtue's perfect form to show, 
Man unseduced by man's malignant foe, 
Repelling sense, and sophistry, and pride. 
Retrieving him, who, erst in Eden tried, 
Fell by the murderer's arts: — for this he bore 
Hell's dark suggestions, bow'd in anguish sore. 
And wrestling supplication, at His shrine 
I Who sent him to achieve that work Divine { 
And O, mysterious in his justice ! there 
Exacted, stern, a deep, distasteful share 



142 Messiah's kingdom. 

Of that sad cup, whose bitterest dregs apphed,, 
Patient, he drank, nor turn'd the draught aside. 

Apart from man, yet Heaven the conflict saw ; 
Around the throne, in strangely silent awe, 
Consorting angels press'd, if haply stream 
Of new-fall'n light, or undiscover'd beam 
Uprising from the abyss, to thoughts confinedj 
Might show this secret of the Omniscient Mind. 
In vain ; the depths of suffering Deity 
Nor finite powers on earth, in heaven, may see. 
Yet angels, ministrant, from heaven descend, 
Messiah in his sorrowing steps attend. 
And earth, released, Redemption's boon receiveSj 
And through Divinity incarnate lives ; 
Adores the mystery it cannot trace, 
The Godhead's glory in Messiah's grace. 

Then, Galilee, thine eyes beheld the light ! 
Sudden, athwart the shades of death and night 
Celestial glory blazed : then, on thine ear 
Fell words of peace, glad sounds of mercy near. 
For lo, Messiah's gracious lips distill'd 
His doctrines as soft showers ; instruction fill'd 
Each gentle accent of his hallow'd speech ; 
He told of secrets science could not teach. 
Yet did he hide his counsels from the wise, 
And taught to babes celestial mysteries ; 
Gradual as opening morn infused the hght, 
From filmy vapours purged the mental sight. 
Not his the garb of philosophic pride, 
Or wisdom's boast; but simple, dignified. 
He, meek, sublime, 'mid listening crowds appeared. 
And humble hearts with heavenly solace cheer'd. 

Hush! 'tis the Sabbath I At th« hour of prayer. 
To seek Jehovah Israel's tribes repair ; 
Within his house in hallow'd worship meet, 
And through the clouds that roll beneath his feet 
Await those glimpses of celestial light, 
Which gild heaven's higher courts with radiance bright. 
Ye men of Nazareth, whose wistful eyes 
Through darkling shades have watch'd for morning's rise 
Ye saints, amid the worldling crowd unknown, 
Unloved, unhonour'd, save by Heaven alone ; 



BOOK \u 143 

Ye, who ibr Israel's Hope expectant pray, 
Who ardent long to hail Messiah's day ; 
Approach ! Behold the Star of Jacob nigh ! 
Behold a brighter blaze of Deity 
Than ever from cherubic splendours pour'd, 
When rapt in awe the trembling priest adored ! 

Yet where? For on these humble, hallow'd walk 
No light, save heaven's, in chasten'd dimness falls. 
Behold that well-known Form ! How meek its grace ! 
Yet there the Godhead dwells ; and from that face 
The beams of Deity reflected- shine; 
That human temple holds the Guest Divine. 
Yes! there, in Mary's Son, Emmanuel see! 
O haste ! in homage bend the reverent knee ! 
Adore him in nnajesiic grace subdued ! 
His eye beams peace ! 'Tis heaven's similitudea 
Glistening, like sapphire skies, intensely blue. 
Yet veil'd with love, as morn with orient dew. 
He speaks ! O listen to that soothing voice ; 
Its accents bid the drooping heart rejoice. 
Hear ! for his words as living waters flow. 
Not crystal springs that bless the vale below 
More grateful to the traveller's eyes appear, 
Than Mercy's message to the mourner's ear, 

Isaiah, gifted seer of elder time, 
Whose raptured spirit soa.r'd in songs sublime, 
On whom the glory of Messiah's day 
Darted through distant skies its lengthening ray ! 
From thee his hallow'd theme the preacher takes ^ 
Thy tender, condescending strain awakes ; 
Unfolds the oracle to thee i-eveal'd ; 
Proclaims Himself the' anointed Prophet seal'd ; 
Heaven's holy Messenger to teach the poor, 
To heal the sick, the wounded soul to cure ; 
To preach to captive spirits glad release ; 
Give blindness sight, and mourning misery peace , 
To set the slave from galling fetters free ; 
To sound the trump of holy jubilee ; 
Recall the alien to liis long-lost home ; 
And show the' accepted year, the day of blessing, come. 

He ceased : yet still the listening audience hung 
In solemn silence on the Preacher's tongue ; 
18* 



144 MESSIAH^S KINGDOM. 

Still on their ears his soothing accents fell, 

As gushing waters from salvation's well. 

Absorb'd they stood, and view'd, with fix'd surprise. 

His form, his face, till on their wondering eyes 

Meek Mary's Son, their own compatriot, rose, 

All gaze astonish'd : some his words oppose : 

In doubt, in petulance, require the sign, 

The proof miraculous, of power Divine ; 

Offended, question whence his wisdom came, 

Train'd, like themselves, in humble rank the same„ 

With meek reproof their envious words he met 5 

But when did envy stern i-evenge forget? 

With sudden wrath their frenzied bosoms burn'd; 

Fierce on his mild, majestic form they turn'd," 

And dared to violate its passive grace, 

Nor fear'd the day, nor fear'd the sacred place, 

Nor fear'd the Name their lips profan'd ; but, loud, 

A clamorous, furious, fierce, ungovern'd crowd 

Rush'd with their Victim forth, in murderous aim, 

To blast at once his doctiine and his name. 

Up the steep mountain's side they urged their flight, 

And headlong from its drear and dizzy height 

The Man they scorn'd in impious purpose threw , 

But he, impassive, from their grasp withdrew j 

Left them, in impotence of wrath, to feel 

The persecutor's disappointed zeal ; 

While he, sublime, his glorious path pursued, 

And turn'd from zealot rage to bless the multitude. 

Clothed with the eloquence of truth, with power, 
Unmanifest till this decisive hour. 
Forth from the walks of men Messiah came. 
His kingdom's opening glories to proclaim, 
To show the long predicted season nigh. 
The reign of grace, the final monarchy. 
The Son of man prepared his rule to take, 
To wield that sceptre which shall bend, or break^, 
Or scourged, or saved, all nations to its .sway, 
And make the prostrate universe obey. 

He spake of power : his listening audience heard, 
Hung with exulting transport on the word, 
And fondly, by their earth-born fancies led, 
Again beheld the crown on David's head ; 



BOOK VI. 145 

Beheld his promised Son the throne ascend ; 
Saw suppliant natioas at his footstool bend ; 
Jerusalem a conquer'd world control, 
The tide of glory from her mountains roll, 
Her lion standards wave o'er every land, 
Earth's gather'd tribes her warlike hosts command -, 
Saw distant realms in love or fear submit, 
And even imperial Rome beneath her feet. 

But not for Him the hostile standard waves ; 
Not his the retinue of sceptred slaves ; 
Nor tributary nations at his feet 
Pour Ophir's gold, or Saba's spices sweet. 
His kingdom not from earth its glory takes ; 
The hallow'd heart his lowly throne he makes ; 
He bids Humility his way prepare, 
And contrite Mourning, and repentant Prayen 
But earth-born souls that holy rule decry, 
Nor feel nor ask celestial energy, 
Nor hear Messiah urge his one command, 
Nor apprehend his Spirit's reign at hand. 
Nor view his glory but with eyes of sense, 
Reject the rugged path of penitence, 
The real bliss for shadowy hopes resign, 
And, proud, refuse the Messenger Divine. 

Yet some there were who Wisdom's call obey'd ~ 
Whom fear restrain'd not, nor false hopes betray'd , 
Who left the vain, the worldly, and the proud, 
And, meek disciples, to the Master bow'd. 
To them he loved to teach his secret will. 
With heavenly truth their simple minds to fillo 
Them did he train his easy yoke to bear, 
His hallow'd cross, his glorious crown to share. 
From them his chosen witnesses he took : 
Taught them the world's contemptuous smile to brook, 
And trample on its frown. To them he show'd 
The light that from incarnate Godhead Ilow'd. 
To them display'd his miracles of power ; 
With them conversed at midnight's silent hour ; 
His kingdom's keys into their hands consign'd ; 
Endued with power to bind or loose mankind ; 
The Gospel's sacred sanctions to proclaim, 
To preach salvation through Messiah's name ; 



146 Messiah's kingdom. 

Through every nation bear the joyful sound ; 

Bid every echo waft the blessing round ; 

To all mankind the glorious tidings show. 

Till wide as Adam's guilt the streams of mercy flow. 

To these, to all, like them, who meekly soughtj 

Celestial truth sublime Messiah taught. 

He show'd the Deity, all perfect, high, 

A Spirit, yet, with ever- searching eye. 

Open on human hearts, and asking there 

Intensest worship, heeding not the prayer 

That hangs unfelt upon the lips, the knee 

Bow'd long and frequent in hypocrisy ; 

But meeting with parental grace, with love, 

Earth models from its Prototype above ; 

The lowly penitent, the sujjpliant child. 

The wo-woi-n wanderer, in 'deserts wild. 

Distilling silent tears, or urging, sweet, , " " 'i-\ • . 

Faith's fiUal claims, before his mercy seat;— ■'< ' >- 

Effusing soft on these celestial peace, 

Commanding Sorrow's stormy wind to cease j 

According to the voice of prayer and love, 

The blissful presence of the heavenly Dove 

To screen from danger near, and teach to rise 

On strengthen'd pinions to the sunny skies. 

He taught, who gave to man his wondrous mind^ 
Its high pi-erogative of life, design'd 
To soar sublime, when heaven in smoke decays, 
When mountains melt, and rocks eternal blaze. 
He told its awful destiny, reveal'd 
The judgment hour, when earth's dark womb shall yield 
Long-buried myriads up, and give the slain 
Back to the broad bright eye of heaven again, 
To meet dissolving worlds, to view the fire 
Feeding sublime on Nature's funeral pyre, 
The throne upraised in boundless space, the light 
In awful splendours emanating bright 
From Him whose smile is bliss, — his brow, severej 
The darkest vision of distracting fear. 
He told, who, in that dread, decisive hour, 
In terrible magnificence of power, 
Shall on that dazzling judgment throne preside 
Of gather'd nations, in resistless tide 



BOOK VI. 147 

Toward that tribunal borne, as surges sweep, 

impetuous, o'er the bosom of the deep : 

Of angels there, his ministers of grace, 

Ordain'd the severed multitudes to place 

On either hand, their just award to hear, — 

The joyous welcome, or the doom of fear. 

He told of glory's heirs on thrones of light, 

As suns resplendent in that region bright. 

He told, — ah! to what tortured, tremlaling heart, 

What startled ear, shall reach that word ? — "Depart*" 

He told of outcast sinners, in his ire, 

Dismiss'd to flames of ever-burning fire, 

Condemn'd, in anguish of intense despair, 

The' undying worm's corrosive tooth to bear; 

With fiends accursed in deepening shades to dwells 

Unbless'd inti'uders on the haunts of hell. 

O wondrous scene ! great day of doom and dread ? 
As stars retire when ocean's emerald bed 
Yields up the sun, with golden glory crown'd, 
To bathe in light creation's ample round, 
So fades, before thy all-absorbing blaze. 
The transient splendour of inferior days. 
O wondrous Man, endow'd with powers sublime ? 
On the dark obsequies of Death and Time 
Destined to look and live ; ordain'd to rise 
By quickening, still expanding energies, 
Into the infinite of bliss ; to know 
Unmeasured depths of unimagined wo ; 
To sink, remediless, to gulfs profound, 
Or circle heaven, on still ascending round 
Of still enlarging thought, from height to height^ 
In endless progress toward the Infinite. 

Thou, whom the vast, the terrible can move, 
Who start'st from anguish, canst be won by love, 
Who, conscious, own'st a monitor within. 
Yet lingerest still, the slave of siren sin ; 
Thou, who hast lodged within thy fluttering breast^ 
A strange, unknown, mysterious, deathless guest, 
Whose, wondrous destiny 'tis thine to share, 
O hear its pleadings now ! one only care, 
One work alone, thy anxious thoughts employ^ 
Impiove its high eupacities for joy. 



148 MESSIAH'S KINGDOMo 

One only aim engross thy wakeful mind, 
The highest point of profFer'd bliss to find. 
Let fear, let hope, earth's phantom shades, foi ego , 
Grasp thou the substance, flee eternal wo, 
Spring from the deathless worm's tremendous coil, 
And sow thy harvest in a heavenly soil. 

From themes by saint or seraph unessay'd, — 
From heaven in terror or in smiles array'd. 
From earth to conflagration given, from man 
As scatter'd chaflF before the v/innowing fan 
Driven to the quenchless flame, or housed on high. 
Meet harvest for the heavenly granary ; — 
From themes like these, Messiah stoop'd to teach 
In all the sweetness of familiar speech, 
Whate'er the waiting multitude required, 
Who own'd his wisdom, and his words admiredj, 
Pursued him to the desert mountain's side, 
Or flock'd around, while, from the glassy tide, 
His solemn tones to listening thousands came, 
Who gladly heard, and wide diffused his fame. 

Himself a Man, and conversant below 
With every character of human wo. 
His spirit strung to Sorrow's deepest tone, 
And every chord of sympathy his own. 
To every sigh, to every sound of grief. 
His ear inclined ; his hand prepared relief 
For every pang the wounded heart can bear. 
From shafts of anguish, or from thorns of care ; 
Drew forth, with lenient skill, the rankling dart. 
Then with celestial balsam soothed the smart ; 
Physician kind as wise, and prompt to save 
Affliction's meanest child, who came his aid to crave. 

Behold the Light from heaven ! Sublime he standbj 
His kindling glance the listening crowd commands ; 
From earth's circumference, from heaven above, 
The hallow'd Preacher gathers signs of love, 
Draws strains of wisdom from the blooming flower. 
Basking and glittering its sweet sunny hour, 
Luxuriant, at his feet ; from birds on high. 
Fanning with buoyant wing the trackless sky ; 
From soft descending rains, from ether, bright^ 
Diffusing wide the sun's supernal light, 



BOOK VI. 149 

Meet emblem of Beneficence Divine, 

Whose cheering- beams on every creature shine. 

Yes ! 'tis Messiah's voice i His lips declare 
That God in heaven extends a Father's care, 
A Father's tenderness, a Father's hand, 
To man, a stranger in earth's pilgrim land ; 
Upholds and guides him in the doubtful way, 
[Vor leaves his simplest, meanest charge to stray. 
[NTo storms, no snares by him unseen arise ; 
Past, present, future, meet his searching eyes ; 
Bis Providence controls, arranges all ; 
Nor lilies grow, nor birds unheeded fall ; 
But humblest flowers that deck the field proclaim 
[n lovely beauty tlieir Creator's Name ; 
A.nd swallows, guided in their buoyant flight, 
fire taught by Him to steer their course aright. 

Yes, showers from Him descend ; his sunshine glows ; 
Se paints the tulip, scents the blushing rose ; 
?lnd shall He thus the withering grass array, 
^et leave his living blossoms to decay? 
To simplest birds extend his guardian care, 
V^et turn reluctant from his children's prayer ? 
Par be the doubtful thought ; the Saviour's voice 
Bids Faith look up, and holy Hope rejoice ; 
?or God, in wisdom, o'er his works presides, 
'n pitying love his erring offspring guides, 
Fempers the blast, the rugged path prepares, 
!5ustains their footsteps, numbers all their hairs ; 
liife's real bliss in measured store supplies ; ^ 

ts fancied goods, substantial miseries, > 

3r blindly, or perversely ask'd, denies. 3 

O, ye who tread the tearful vale of life 
With toilsome step, through scenes of care and strife, 
i^or whom no landscape spreads its varied hues 
n flowery fragrance, fresh with sparkling dews, 
Whose fitful skies the frequent meteor shrouds, 
Whose sunbeams darken in descending clouds. 
Who oft, perplex'd, alone, your way pursue, — 
3, these are words of peace, of joy to you ! 
JO, child of sorrow ! whom the grieving thorn, 
Fhe prickling briers that throng the waste, have torn ; 
Whose bleeding feet sad signs of travel show, 
3'er rude, rough rocks, whence bitter waters flow ;— 



150 Messiah's kingdom.. 

Go, in his tmth, his promised care, confide, 

Beneath his wings thy trembling spirit hide^ > 

Yet on thy lonely path his light shall rise, 

His smile allure thee to the opening skies. 

Know, too, thy mingled cup his hand prepares, 

And while thou drink'st it, he thy suffering shares j 

In all thy griefs, his love, his wisdom see. 

Nor cease to think of Him who wept, who bled for thee. 

But while, on highest themes, Messiah's speech 
Discoursed of wisdom Heaven alone could teach^ 
While words of peace his balmy lips distill'd, 
And joy and hope his listening audience fill'd. 
With mildest grace he temper'd saci-ed awe, 
And taught the stainless majesty of law ; 
Enforced its sanctions on the inmost soul, - ; 
Its unrelinquish'd claims, its stern control 
O'er thoughts, affections, purposes, its power, 
No fleeting phantom of the passing hour. 
But firm, enduring as that changeless Name / 
From whom, bright impress of Himself, it came ? 
Its substance. Love, by love alone fulfill'd, 
Love on the pure, regenerate mind instill'd, 
Love fix'd supreme on Heaven, diffusing wide 
O'er earth its copious, rich, redundant tide ; 
All unrestrain'd, to enemies or friends. 
As soft from heaven the genial shower descends ; 
Or light, expansive, vital influence spreads ; 
Or God, on all mankind, his gifts impartial sheds 

Messiah taught ; but not by words alone. 
Bright from himself that law reflected shone. 
His stainless nature all its light display'd : 
Nor taint of ill, nor dimming breath, nor shade, 
Obscured the beams of Truth's effulgent blaze, 
Which from that lucid mirror pour'd its rays. 
His pure obedience all its claims sustain'd, 
And righteousness in sovereign splendour reign'd 
Inviolate in fiesh, and triumph'd there^,,;. 
In Him who deign'd that morta^ '■^mSuj wear, 
Which erst its rule contemn'd ; lim complete 
The moral code, the sacred symbol meet. 
Whate'er the ceremonial sign implied, 
Or law enjoin'd ; fulfill'd and magnified, 



BOOK VI. 151 

In Him their perfect consummation gain'd, 
in Him tlie highest end of heaven attain'd.; 

While thus the Preacher heavenly wisdom taught, 
While thus his life with every grace was fraught. 
While, touch'd with mortal griefs, he frequent wept, 
On mountain heights the long, lone vigil kept : 
Then, from the solemn secresies of prayer, 
Pass'd forth to bless the multitude, and share 
With friends beloved affection's kindred flame, 
And, man with men, to bear a brother's name j 
While thus with mortal sympathies endued, 
Conform'd to Adam's whole similitude, 
A suffering man, he stoop'd to toils and wOj 
And meekly bore a servant's form below ; 
While, lowly, thus, life's tearful path he trod. 
And veil'd the splendours of incarnate God, 
Yet, through that shrine, full oft, what glory broke ! 
What power the present Deity bespoke ! 

Man asks a sign from heaven : behold, his word 
With purple beverage crowns the sumptuous board , 
Material nature feels the touch Divine, 
And sparkling water glows to generous wine. 
The rite himself ordain'd his presence cheers^ 
His glory at the nuptial feast appears. 

Man asks a sign : nor Heaven that sign denies : 
Lo, Jesus comes, and withering sickness flies ; 
Fierce, frenzied Fever quits her burning bed, 
And strengthless Palsy lifts his languid head ; 
Light, holy Light, illumes the sightless eyes. 
The lame leap up in thankful ecstasies, 
And deaf, dumb fiends, by him rebuked, retire 
To central realms of ever burning fire. 
Or seek amid earth's desert wilds, unbless'd, 
That long-lost bliss of rebel angels, — rest. 

Man asks a sign : thou wildly rolling sea, 
Confess the present power of Deity ! 
Behold yon strai. • g vessel ! O'er her crew 
Descends the men<>.ciiv "' illow ; sad, they view 
Destruction in the dee|i. Who comes, with tread 
Majestic, o'er the yawning surges' head ? 
Who walks from wave to wave, and bids the storm 
Subside lo stillest peace? That mortal Form, 

14 



152 Messiah's kingdom. 

Which met erewhile the hurtling blasts of nighty 
In pleading prayer upon the mountain's height ; 
Which, ere soft evening's purple shadows spread. 
Around its base admiring thousands fed ; 
Fed by creative power : 'Tis He who trod 
The waves of chaos, when the voice of God 
Call'd order from confusion ; when the light, 
His own pure emblem, sprung from deepest night 
At his Omnific Word : 'tis He who spread 
The waves of ocean o'er their coral bed ; 
Who binds them in the hollow of his hand, 
And stays their fury by his rein of sand. 

Ask ye a sign of hell, of earth, of heaven, 
Of death, of the dark sepulchre ? 'Tis given : 
Behold yon wither'd flower, in opening bloom 
Snapp'd from its slender stem : funereal gloom 
Hangs o'er the couch of early Beauty : G-rief 
Pours its wild wail in vain : — intense, yet brief, 
Have been the yearnings of parental love, the tear 
Of tenderest hope, of ecstasy, of fear : 
Wide yawns the grave, insatiate for its prey. 
Which earths their treasure ere descending day. 
Stay, ye who pour the sordid wail in vain ; 
Ye, whose toini bosoms inly bleed, again 
Bend o'er your child in death ; mark those closed eyes 
Unsealing from their mortal sleep ! " Arise !" 
Saith He whose word is power. Behold, she wakes! 
Once more its shrine the unhoused spirit takes ; 
Parental love adores the wondrous grace, 
And folds the boon of Heaven fast in its fond embrace. 

Wh 'Jnce moves that sad procession ? Whither tend 
Those mourners, and their charge ? Ah ! toward the enc 
Of every mortal journey ! On that bier 
Lies stretch'd the widow's hope ! Now dim and drear 
Her last, last beam of sunlight sets in death : 
With desolate tears, and deep, suspended breath, 
She tells her griefs to Heaven, while sad and slow 
She follows to her son's dark home below. 
What stranger voice in soothing accents speaks? 
" Refrain thine eyes from weeping !" From thy cheeks 
Dry the salt tears, sad mourner ! For that sound 
Breathes from the broast of sympathy ; thy wound 



BOOK VI. 153 

His lenient balm shall heal ; behold him standj , 
Arrested by thy sorrows ! His command 
Restrains Corruption's silent spell, revives 
The functions of extinguish'd life, and gives 
Back to thy widow'd arms thine age's stay, 
And from insatiate Death wrests his too early prey. 

Come, ye who seek Messiah's witness, come 
With the sad sisters, from their sorrowing home, 
To meet the Master nigh : amid the band 
Of troubled friends, of weeping kindred, stand, 
While Martha pours her plaint ; while Mary's tears 
Bedew his feet beloved ; while on his ears 
Fall the deep groans of hearts by anguish press'd ; 
Hearts whom his friendship cherish'd ; whom his breast 
Received to kindliest love ; with whom he shared 
Sweet converse, and the kind repast, prepared 
To renovate exhausted strength ; and sought 
Refreshing interchange of holy thought ; 
Life's purest cup of blessing deign'd to taste, 
And Wisdom's seal on sacred Friendsliip placed. 

Come ye ! for here the Master stands and weeps. 
His friend is dead ; beloved Lazarus sleeps. 
He weeps ; he groans in spirit ; o'er his soul 
Strange waves of sympathy, of sorrow, roll ; 
See ye, unmoved, that sight? 'Tis human wo 
That bids those gushing tides of trouble flow ; 
'Tis nature, struggling in the pangs of death, 
That hangs her burthen on his labouring breath. 

Come ye, and see ! For not to grief alone 
Is given this hour of wonder: yon rude stone 
Hides the deep-cavern'd vault, where, lowly laid. 
The dead sleep softly in sepulchral shade. 
Since three revolving suns, in silence, there 
Hath slept the Friend, the Brother. Ye who share 
A friend's, a brother's sympathies ; who own 
A nature subjected to death ; who groan 
In terror of his sceptre; now draw near. 
Behold anticipated conquest here ! 

Behold that Form majestic ! View those eyeSj 
Those hands, uplifted to the opening skies ! 
O bend the knee in silence ! Let thine ear 
Confess the present Deity, and fear ! 



154 Messiah's kingdom. 

Adore in prostrate worship ; while, aloud, 
His voice, reverberant through the trembling crowdj 
Cries, "Lazarus, come forth !" Lo, Lazarus hears ; 
Emerging from the charnel vault appears, 
Lifts to the Master's form his lighten'd eye, 
And hails the Life, the Resurrection nigh ; 
Springs forth to clasp his feet, and lives to show 
That God indeed is manifest below. 

Messiah spake in parables ; he taught 
Counsels of covert wisdom : works he wx'ought 
Of mystic import ; glorious, great, benign, 
Yet shadowing mightier energ)^ Divine. 
Man's feeble frame his quickening impulse feel&v 
Man's strengthless soul remedial mercy heals. 
He speaks, and palsied sickness, vigorous, lives , 
But who, in plenitude of power, forgives 
The sinner's uncomputed debt ? 'Tis He 
Whom fulness of Divine philanthropy 
Drew down from heaven, to tread the vale of wo, 
That grace to man might unimpeded flow : 
'Tis He, Emmanuel, who, in mortal shrine^ 
Exerts his own prerogative Divine : 
'Tis He, omniscient, whose all- searching eye 
Reads the deep grief, regards the contrite sigh, 
Discerns the' incipient faith, which longs to claim 
Its fihal interest in that tenderest Name, 
To orphan weakness dear. 'Tis He, whose word. 
Soft, in the sorrowing spirit's silence heard, 
Dispels the gloom of long-impending- night, 
And bids the new creation blaze with light 

Thus, in his works, his sovereign power display'd^ 
Nature and grace Messiah's word obeyed, 
Creation own'd subjection to his hand. 
And wildest elements at his command 
Hush'd their misrule to silence. To the frame 
Of miserable man his virtue came 
Restorative. 'Twas pity, join'd with power^ 
Hell antedated in his eye the hour 
Of still severer vengeance; Death, dethroned, 
His dread antagonist in Jesus own'd. 
Dark Hades' realm the incarnate Godhead knew, 
And Heaven itself proclaim'd his record true. 



BOOK VI. 165 

At length, Jehovah, in his shrine reveal'd, 
Own'd by the Spirit, by the Father seal'd, 
By signs stupendous proved the Anointed One, 
The promised Saviour, the Eternal Son ; — 
At length, his precepts given, his doctrines taught. 
His will declared, his works of wonder wrought, 
His blight exemplar to his Church display'd, 
His kingdom's secret, sure foundations laid ; — ■ 
At length, Messiah told his love's design, 
Disclosed the mystery of Grace Divine, 
His fast-approaching hour of grief reveal'd ; 
Announced himself the guiltless Victim seal'd 
To meet the avenging sword ; the Father's willj • 
An unreluctant Sufferer, to fulfil ; 
The ransom of a world condemned to pay, 
To bear the curse from all mankind aw^ay, 
To drink unmix'd the bitter cup of wo, 
Sustain the conflict none may share or know ^ 
To expiate sin's offence by sacred blood, 
To struggle in temptation's stormy flood, 
To languish, shorn of Heaven's all-cheering lights 
To meet the frown of Justice Infinite, 
To die beneath the stern Avenger's rod, 
A mortal Sufferer, a triumphant God, 
Victorious from the grasp of Death to rise, 
Bear back his palm of conquest to the skies. 
To reascend his Father's throne, and there 
For ever make his ransom'd Church his care. 

His hour, his bitter hour of grief, drew nigh ; 
His straiten'd soul, in prayerful agony, 
Perceived its dread approach. Full oft he chose 
The hours by nature given to soft repose 
For solemn vigil on the mountain's height. 
Where dee^ » unbroken Silence, and dim Night, 
Wimess'd, alone, his fervours. Now, to share 
Their Master's glory, and to bend in prayer 
With him before the Eternal, he invites 
The favour'd three in whom his soul delights. 
Pensive, yet pleas'd to shai'e his grace, they climb 
Rude Tabor's rocky height, and there, sublime, 
Gaze on the ample heavens, whose concave bright 
Glows, a pure canopy of circling lights 

14* 



156 Messiah's kingdom. 

They gaze, adore; their willing souls would rise, 
But sleep steals softly o'er their closing eyes, 
Exhausted nature asks the kind release. 
And sweet he slumbers on whose soul is peace. 
Not so the Master ; he, nor sleep, nor rest 
Entices ; prostrate on the mountain's breast 
He lies, in pleading prayer : his soul, intensCj 
Breathes thoughts unutter'd forth. Omnipotence^ 
In its eternal altitude, till now, 
Such supplication heard not. On his brow 
Hangs the cold damp of midnight ; and his tears 
Mingle with drops wrung out by griefs and fears 
From the sad spirit's shrine. O mournful sight * 
Ye stars ! ye angels ! on your thrones of light, 
Veil your bright orbs in shade ! 

Lo, sudden streams, 
Of purer lustre than intensest beams 
Shot from the central sun, transpierce his frame. 
His glistering raiment, his pure eye of flame, 
Bespeak his pristine Majesty. Again 
He looks triumphant down on grief and pain. 

Heaven strengthens for its conflicts, not removes - 
The Eternal Father owns the Son he loves : 
Celestial visitants descend to cheer, 
Yet hold discourse on death and suffering near ^ 
And Moses and Elijah, from the skies, 
Anticipate the accomplish'd Sacrifice ; 
To Him surrender every sacred claim, 
Absorb their glories in Messiah's name, 
Acknowledge law and prophecy complete 
In Him their end, their fount of i-adiance, meet ; 
The servants to the Son their rule resign. 
And, reverent, hail the holier Light Divine. 

Supine, unwakeful, yet that glorious light 
Flash'd on the frail disciples' drowsy sight; 
With startling fear the wondrous scene they view, 
Yet still their Lord and still the strangers knew, 
And felt the present heaven, yet fail'd to find 
Fit speech to meet the amazement of the mind ; 
Till deep imbosom'd in the o'ershadowing cloud, 
Their awe-struck souls in reverent worship bowed ; 
While, fearful, from the excelling glory broke 
That Voice of Words, whose solemn sanction spoke 



BOOK VL 157 

The Father's love ineffable ; his grace 
Reflected only from Messiah's face ; 
His wisdom by Messiah's hps convey'd, 
Messiah's law their rule eternal made= 

It pass'd ; no more the dazzling glory shone, 
Nor sound was heard i the wondering three, alone, 
In strange amazement, with their Lord remain'd= 
As Moses on his beaming brow retain'd 
Reflected splendours of celestial light. 
So, on their souls that mystic vision bright 
Its hallow'd impress left, and oft, sublime, 
Eff'used its radiance o'er the mists of time, 
Eftulgent to the eye of faith appear'd, 
And holy hope's aspiring ardours cheer'd , 
Disclosed the brightness of that form renew'd. 
When, rising in their Lord's similitude, 
His loved disciples shall his glory share, 
And, suffering here with him, his crown of coiiquest wear. 

As he, who erst, on Horeb's sacred height, 
Beheld the bush in flaming splendours bright^ 
Who near, and nearer still, and nearer drew, 
In strange surprise, that wondrous sight to view ; 
Who heard, transpierced with awe, the Voice Divme 
Announce Jehovah in the mystic sign ; 
Who, reverent, with unsandall'd footsteps trod 
The hallow'd precincts of the present God ; 
Then veil'd his face, nor dared that sight to see, 
Afraid to meet the blaze of Deity. 
So, mantled deep with holy shame, with awe 
Chastening her step, would Faith, adoring, draw 
Toward that strange scene, that dread, surpassmg sight 
Where Glory, Terror, Justice, Grace unite. 
Where Jesus consummates the Will Divine, 
Where flaming wrath and bleeding love combine, 
Where law, inexorable law, demands. 
Transgression's forfeit ; where the Victim stands 
In measureless infinitude of grace, 
Vicarious Sufferer for the sinful race, 
Sustaining, agonized, in mortal shrine, 
The frown of Heaven, the curse of Wrath Divme= 

With her of Bethany, who, grateful, pour'd 
Her odorous unguent, when the Bocial board 



I'^S Messiah's kingdom. 

Her much-loved Master graced ; with Mary's sighs, 

Her (cars, presentient of his agwnies, 

Her meek i*ettiembrance of his gTace, lier flow. 

Of love uufeign'd, of undissembled wo ; 

With her whose single bliss, whose centred choice, 

Was bland instruction from the Masters voice ; 

With her who telt the joy of sin forgiven, 

Act saw his sufferings track her path to heaven ; 

With her meek Gratitude would lowly weep, 

His sacred feet in tears of anguish si eep ; 

Prepare (he balm of holiest love, and shed 

Its fragrant uncdon o'er the Saviour's head ; 

Bid hallow'd praise, with pure affections blend, 

Knoel at his feel, and bless the sinner's Friend, 

With prayerful sighs (hat waft the soul above, 

Embahii the memory of that suffering Love 

Which sanctilied the cold and quiet grave, 

And slept in de^th a deathless world to save. 

Incarnate Saviour ! holy Victim! led 
To unresisting slaughter ! who shall tread 
Thy painful path along that thorny road 
Track'd by thy tears, thy streaming blood that flow'd. 
Crimsoning the sterile waste? retrace thy grief 
For proud Jerusalem ? her unbelief, 
Her scorn of thee, and of that sacwd lore 
Thou would'st have taught her, ere, her season o'er, 
Her sun weM out eclipsed ? rehearse the lovo 
Which mark'd the cowering eagle from above, 
And proffer'd, mild, a sotT and gentle shade 
From its fierce beak of blood, which would have made 
Its broad, bright wing'' a shield from danger nigh, 
And, ere (he lV>e pounced, ravenous, fromon high, 
Have screen'd her hapless little ones, and spread 
A covert o'er (he undefended head '? 

Yes ; Pity wep(, o'er Salem's ('alUng state, 
And prescient Wisdom told the earlydate 
Of tha(, stern hour, when Heaven's avenging blade 
Should gleam unscabbarded, in .'ishes laid ; 
When low her desecrated shrine should lie, 
Deserted by indignan(. Deity ; 
When God, in vn-ath retributive awake. 
Should vengeance fo\ rejected mercies take, 



BOOK VI. 199 

Snflici the dread aiiathenui decreed, 

Messiah's cause in burning judgment J)lead, 

Offending Israel to tlie winds disperse, 

To bear the deep, the long-protracted curse, 

Dry, sever'd branches from the sacred root. 

Nor crown'd with fohage, nor enrich'd with fruit, 

Wide scatter'd o'er earth's dreary wastes to Ue, 

Sear'd sport of storms beneatli a wintry slvy ; 

Till Heaven, again propitious, kindly pour 

The genial dews, the vital sap, restore, 

And reingrall" rejected Israel's shoots, 

On Abraham's stock to bear nnwithering fruits. 

Fain humble Love would, sorrowing, tread the giound, 
(But O, 'tis holy where His steps are found !) 
Where gentle babes their meek hosannas pour'd. 
And Israel's King in joyous strains adored. 
Fain with the few the parting banquet share. 
Hear his bless'd lips his last command declare^ 
Receive the sacramental pledge, and take 
The mystic symbols for tlie Master's sa,ke ; 
Wiih listening ear his pleading prayer receive, 
With those who loved, and fear'd to lose him, grieve , 
In holy sympathy with them rejoice, 
Jn hope, ere long, that his reviving voice 
Should reassure their drooping hearts, and lell 
Of glorious triumph o'er the powers of hell. 

O'er scenes like these no plume of fancy fliet), 
No vagrant muse frequents these mysteries; 
But Faith, with chasten'd step, may humbly go 
I'-ven to the steep whence Kedron's waters iliow , 
Amid Gethsemane's dark shadows wait 
The awful issue of that hour of fate. 
When heaven and liell in fearful conflict met, 
tJrged the deep groan, the agony, the sweat, 
Whose crimson'd drops bedew'd the' ensanguined ground , 
When praying, pleading, wrestling, prostrate, found, 
While trembling flesh from wrathful vengeance shrank, 
Its bitterest dregs the guiltless Victim drank, 
Embraced the awful Father's righteous rod, 
And languish'd, dark, beneath tlie frown of God 

Yes; Faith may Ibllow, even from thence, and hear 
The Man of Griefs condenm'd by coward i^'ear, 



160 Messiah's kingdom. 

Behold the Majesty of Truth, descry. 
The judge retiring from the Prisoner's eye, 
Too weak to bear the light, too mean to stand 
And shield the injured from Oppression's hand ; 
May view contumely, insult, hate, and scorn. 
The robe of mockery, the scourge, the thorn. 
The pallid brow, the lacerated cheek, 
The tearful eye, the mien sublimely meek, 
The lofty bearing of triumphant mind 
O'er taunt and torture, earth and hell, combined. 
The grandeur of incarnate God, reveal'd 
Even while his judgment darkling Envy seal'd. 

Go, tread with trembling foot the dolorous steep. 
With Salem's daughters smite thy breast and weep. 
Behold the Victim forth to slaughter led ; 
Dark rolls the tempest round his sacred head ; 
See rudely on his bleeding shoulder laid 
The rugged cross. O veil thy face, dismay'd, 
Nor dare on Golgotha's dread scene to gaze ! 
For lo, the sun in darkness shrouds his rays ; 
Astonish'd earth with trembling terror shakes ; 
Beneath its load affrighted Calvary quakes; 
And yawning graves, and sullen thunders, loud 
Proclaim Heaven's wrath, for Him in anguish bowM 
Beneath the world's accumulated curse. 
Amazement of the pondering universe ! 

Yes ; there the meek mysterious Sufferer bleeds I 
Pang urges pang, and groan to groan succeeds, 
Fierce bulls of Bashan furious round him close, 
And ravenous dogs their wrathful rage oppose, 
Wild on his prey the ramping lion roars. 
Its purple current life retiring pours. 
Impervious Heaven returns his piteous moan, 
Messiah drinks the dreadful draught alone ; 
Nor vents his loud, his last expiring cry, 
Nor yields to Death the shrine of Deity, 
Till Love's stupendous ransom price is paid, 
For guilt, the free, the full atonement made j 
Till round his cross the rays of glory meet, 
And Justice owns the mighty task complete. [cries ! 

" 'Tis finish'd !" Hark ! that rending groan 5 those 
That voice attests the' accomplish'd sacrifice ; 



BOOK VIo 161 

The prison'd spirit quits its mortal shrinej 

Surrender'd to paternal Grace Divine ; 

Death, sullen, stern, tremendous, grasps his prey ; 

Hell, earth, and heaven, recoil in dread dismay ; 

With throes convulsive frighted Nature heaves ; 

The mountains tremble, and the dark rock cleaves ; 

A mystic Presence fills the sacred shrine ; 

Bright altar fires 'mid wreathing incense shine ; 

A mystic Power, at that expiring cry, 

Reveals the dread abode of Deity, 

Asunder rends the deep- impending vail ; 

While hovering angels, lost in wonder, hail 

The' Eternal on his bright cherubic throne, 

Propitious through that priceless offering shown, 
'Tis done ! the beams of reconciling grace 

Flow unobstructed from Jehovah's face ; 

The dreadful penalty, the Death, is paid. 

Transgression's curse, on Him, its Victim, laid, 

Is heaved from guilty man. This wondrous hour 

Messiah, in omnipotence of power, 

Tramples the direful serpent's venom'd head, 

l>escends in blood-stain'd vesture to the dead. 

Dooms in his own dark realm man's mortal foCj 

Dim, dreary Death, to final overthrow ; 

Breaks from a captive world Apollyon's yoke, 

Bids hell recoil beneath his vengeful stroke. 

Prepares the path of life 'mid Hades' gloom, 

And triumphs in the precincts of the tomb. 
O wondrous conquest of unbounded love ! 

depth unscann'd by angel minds above! 

Nor mark'd on earth, where dimming flesh and sense 

Veil the dread footsteps of Omnipotence. 

Fet earth its mystic sympathy displays, 

[n awe and wonder Gentile legions gaze. 

Behold the dire portents, and trembling own 

Messiah in that last expiring groan ; — 

That groan which vibrates through sepulchral gloom, 

Bursts the dark barriers of the silent tomb, 

\.nd calls the saintly dead from quiet sleep, 

Their vigils at that solemn hour to keep. 

To share the triumphs of his glorious rise, 

i\,nd pass, his earliest trophies, to the skies. 



162 MESSIAH^S KINGDOM. 

Redemption's price is paid: in captive chains 
Not long dread Death the Lord of life detains. 
Nor Hades' realm the conquering spirit holds, 
Not long his flesh the gloomy grave enfolds. 
His quickening power revives the sleeping shrin&j 
Reanimates with energy Divine 5 
His own right hand the living temple rears, 
Its wondrous frame once more sublime appears j 
Jehovah owns his coeternal Son, 
Attests Messiah's crown of conquest won } 
Attests the Covenant Sacrifice complete, 
And bids creation worship at his feet. 

The waning moon toward western skies retu-ed , 
Morn's earliest blush, dim, darkling twilight fired ; 
Receding stars before the orient ray 
Stole softly into deeper shades away ; 
Earth's verdant breast a humid veil o'erspread ; 
And silence reign'd profound. To seek the dead, 
To pour Affection's soft and sacred tear, 
To heave the sorrowing sigh o'er Friendship's bier. 
To seek the Master in his lone retreat, 
Anoint his corpse, and kiss his mangled feet, 
The Marys, weeping, sought that garden's shade, 
Where, late entomb'd, their loftiest hopes were laid« 

'Twas the third morn ; the Sabbath's sacred day 
Had pass'd in solitary sighs away ; 
Sleep, balmy sleep, their wakeful eylids fled, 
And restless thought held converse v/ith the dead ; 
Hope's beauteous iris deepening clouds o'ercast, 
And whispering Memory told of blessings pa,st. 
With pensive step they gain'd the sacred ground ; 
But all was wonder; — fill'd with grief profound 
They saw the cavern's dai-k recess display 'd ; 
But Death's pale Victim there no longer laid. 
A stranger guard, in glistering vesture bright, 
Sat on the massive stone his princely might 
Had rolPd from that sepulchral vault away. 
His eye is flame ; yet mild its lightnings play ; 
Mild on the meek, yet terrible as death 
On the stern sons of pride, whose quivering breath 
Flutters upon the pallid lip ; whose shield 
Falls from the nerveless arm, though taught to wield 



BOOK VI. 



163 



The weightiest sword ia battle, and to bear 

Rome's blood-stain'd eagles through the ranks of waro 

How poor earth's prowess to celestial might ! 
Yet Heaven defends the weak ; that angel bright 
Pours kind ana gentle greeting on the ear 
Of those who seek their Lord ; dispels their fear 
With glorious tidings of Messiah's rise ; 
In trembling haste, with strange and glad surprise, 
At his command their sorrowing friends they seek^ 
And words of wonder in amazement speak ; 
Words in amazement heard, yet disbelieved ; 
They mourn'd and wept, nor yet the truth received. 
And, strangely dark, nor call'd they yet to mind 
The promise by the Master left behind. 
Again their solitary hearts to cheer, 
To chase their griefs, nor leave them orphans here. 
To rise, the victory of his cross to show, 
And then triumphant to his glory go. 

Yet, anxious, some the scene of mystery soughtj 
Muse on the tale by trembling transport brought, 
But find not whom they seek ; nor long remain. 
But turn, perplex'd, to doubt and grieve again. 
Not so sad Magdalene : alas 1 she weeps, 
Spite of an angel's voice ; and sorrowing keeps 
Her silent watch beside the lon-ely cave, 
Her hallow 'd Master's consecrated grave , 
Nor earthly nor unearthly fears can move 
Her steadfast purpose of unchanging love ; 
Her steadfast love receives its rich reward,— 
Admitted first to see, to own, her Lord ; 
His well-known voice, his kindly glance to meet, 
To hail his glad return, to clasp his feet, 
To bear the message of his grace ; to feel 
In her sad breast his wonted power to heal j 
Those kindest, gentlest, strangest words to hear. 
That ever love breathed soft on human ear : — 
" Go, tell my brethren, tell my sorrowing friends, 
Messiah to his Father's throne ascends ; 
His Father, God; their God and Father too. 
Go, bid them haste their risen Lord to view." 

The Lord is risen ! Nor Magdalene alone 
Hm much-loved form beheld. He aeeks hm own^ 

15 



164 Messiah's kingdom. 

His sad disciples in their hopeless grief, 

And calms their fears, and chides their unbelief. 

Amid the troubled, tearful train he stands, 

Shows them his wounded side, his feet, his hands, 

Breathes on their souls his peace, renews their joy, 

Bids them for him their hallow'd lives employ, 

His purchased flock as watchful pastors keep, 

'Midst sterile deserts seek the wandering sheep ; 

Far from the wolf in folded safety hide, 

Through devious paths with caution'd wisdom guide ; 

Then, for the sheep, his mortal suffering share, 

With him the cross in groans and anguish bear ; 

Till, in his glorious power reveal'd again, 

They rise to share his everlasting reign ; 

With him, chief Shepherd, oh his throne sit down, 

And from his hand receive the bright, unwithering crown. 

The work is done, the great Atonement seal'd. 
The veil is rent, the throne in heaven reveal'd ! 

The cherub shrine with lambent glory burns, 

The Son triumphant to his seat returns, 

The everlasting Priest, with blood Divine, 

Prepares to consecrate the eternal shrine, 

Bright, in his sacerdotal robes, to bear 

His own oblation to the altar there ; 

To purify the sacred things above, 

To pour the all-prevailing prayer of love, 

To bid the ever-fragrant incense rise, 

Perfuming his accepted sacrifice ; 

Before the throne, in Mediatorial grace, 

To live, the Saviour of the ransom'd race. 

Yes ! He who, ere the streams of being sprang, 

Ere morning stars creation's anthems sang, 

Dwelt with the Father in essential light, 

Eternal Efflux of his splendours bright. 

He, man's pollution purged, his state resumes, 

His pristine majesty in heaven assumes ; 

Sits by Jehovah's side sublimely down. 

Receives the radiant mediatorial crown, 

The sceptre of eternal rule, the sword 

Of bright and burning blade. Jehovah's word 

Waits to proclaim Messiah's sovereign sway : 

Be still, O earth ! Ye heavens, that word obey ! 



BOOK VI. 165 

Ye angels, worship ! Ye, whose myriad throng 
For new-born nature pour'd the choral song ; 
Ye, who, his twice ten thousand chariots, came 
When Sinai glow'd beneath his throne of flame ; 
Ye, who on Bethlehem's plains descending, bright, 
Eclipsed the starry fires of ebon night, 
And bade the spheres in loud hosannas ring 
Their earliest welcome to earth's new-born King ; 
Who, ministrant, beside your Lord, were found, 
In the lone, sterile desert ; on the ground, 
The hallow'd ground of agony, were seen 
Strengthening his troubled spirit ; who, serene. 
Yet bright in seraph majesty, appear'd 
Beside his broken sepulchre, and cheer'd 
Desponding Sorrow with the blissful sound, 
That He, once dead, was risen. Come, gather round, 
Ye ministers of his, ye fiery flames! 
Thrones, or dominions, by what mystic names 
Soe'er ye pass in heaven, to Him draw nigh, 
Prepare new homage for his majesty. 
Come, borne on radiant wing, ye sons of might. 
Bear back Messiah's car ! His throne in light 
Awaits the King of glory : Heaven looks down. 
Expectant, its triumphant Lord to crown. 
Lo, Death and Hell, beside his trophied car, 
Attest the Conqueror's prowess. From the war, 
Laden with spoils, behold him glorious come! 
Lift high your emerald gates ! receive Messiah home ! 

Lo, heaven's empyreal heights their myriads pour ! 
All press to gaze, to wonder, to adore ; 
Nor ever, since his chamber's beams he laid 
In the deep waters, ne'er had heaven display'd 
Sight so august and glorious. Downward throng, 
Like cluster'd stars, the bright, the pure, the strong. 
Like lightnings launch'd on midnight's deepest gloom, 
Seraphic flames in radiant phalanx come ; 
And soft, with holy harps, attuned to hymn 
Messiah's praise, descend sweet cherubim. 
Angels, in sunlike glory, all await 
To swell the Conqueror's reascending state; 
To watch his parting scene, to hear the sound 
Of his last words on earth ; then, circling round 



166 Messiah's kingdobi. 

To bear his bright liumanity above, 
Proclaim the triumphs of victorious Love, 
Roll back the doors of everlasting light, 
And, heralds of his majesty and might, 
Before the Eternal Fatiier's throne proclami 
The matchless glories of the Conqueror's name; 
To show his high behest fulfiU'd ; the Son, 
With spoils from hell's usurping legions wen. 
Ascending to Ms bright paternal seat, 
Till, every adverse power beneath his feet, 
All creatures own Messiah's glorious sway, 
And shrink in terror, or in love obey. 

Tliey throng the steep : but soft, no thunders ther« 
Utter dread voices : through the ambient air 
Glances no wing of flame. No, all is still 
On sacred Olivet's secluded hill. 
Unseen, unheard, intensest watch they keep.- 
Hush ! mortal footsteps tread the towermg steep ^ 
Silent and slovv^ hi? chosen friends repair 
To meet their Lord, his parting blessing share. 
Lo, in their midst his well-known form appears ; 
He soothes their anxious hearts, dispels their fears, 
Unfolds with clearer light his truth Divine, 
Sends them as stars throughout the world to shine. 
To preach in every land the Gospel word. 
Proclaim the truth from him in secret heard. 
He bids them wait the promise of his love, 
The Spirit's fiery baptism from above, 
To seal, anoint, enrich with varied grace : 
A Comforter, to fill the Master's place, 
To reimpress the lore his wisdom taught, 
And show the wonders by Messiali wrought- 

Yet not the curious wish, the fond desire, 
His parting word resolves. In vain inquire 
His eager, frail disciples for the hour 
When Israel's horn, renew'd in regal power, 
Again shall flourisli fair : that hour, unknown, 
Lives in the Father's counsels : He alone 
Appoints the times, selects the seasons meet ; 
Man dwells in dust, a i-eptile at his feet. 

In silence heard, beneath his kind reply, 
Their earthly hopes as withering blossoms die> 



BOOK VI. 167 

No kingdom of terrestrial glory now 

Messiah plants : the crown that waits his brow 

Is heaven's imperial diadem. 

Behold, 
Even now the regal Sheplierd leaves the fold f 
Mark ye his look benign, his hands upraised, 
His eye, as on heaven's inmost light it gazed I 
O hear his parting blessing, breathed aloud 
Upon his kneeling flock ! 

Yon lucid cloud 
Hovers a moment o'er him. 

Fix'd they gaze ^ 
But all is gone I 

No fiery coursers blaze ; 
The herald angels viewless pass ; nor sound 
Is in the air, nor echo breaihes around. 
Mute, motionless, with lifted hands and eyes. 
Wistful, impatient to transpierce the skies, 
His trembling followers still astonied kneel ; 
The raptured awe, the holy transport, feel ; 
Till on their ears celestial voices break, 
And forms of light their tranced senses wake : — 
" Ye men of Galilee, O gaze no more ! 
Henceforth in heaven your glorious Lord adore! 
There now he triumphs ; but, when time shall end, 
Illustrious, shall in flaming pomp descend, 
And bear his saints to bliss." 

With silent awe 
The meek disciples from the mount withdraw ; 
Bui prostrate first in holy worship bend ; 
For oft the Master did that mount ascend, 
And oft its shades had heard his sacred voice ; 
No longer now to bid their hearts rejoice. 
Yet, joyous in his triumphs, glad they go, 
To listening crowds the wondrous scene to show. 
To tell Jerusalem, Messiah slain 
Had conquer'd Death, and risen in heaven to reign. 
From earth withdrawn, he fills his throne above, 
There executes his offices of love.; 
There the great Prophet of his Church appears ; 
There, as her Priest, the dazzling ephod wears 5 

15* 



168 Messiah's kingdom. 

There, as her King, controls his subject foes, 
Around her walls his shadowing glory throws j 
There, as her Friend, her Intercessor, lives, 
And thence the sacred, sevenfold Spirit gives ; 
Attends her prayer, regards her deep distress, 
Amid the perils of the wilderness ; 
Himself a sufferer once, her grief he shares, 
A covert from the windy storm prepares. 
Cleaves the dark sea, bids mountains sink or rise^, 
To lend her aid, or whelm her enemies ; 
For seas and mountains yield to his control^ 
And tempest thunders at his bidding roll. 

Exalted on his mediatorial throne ; 
Messiah rules his Church, yet not alone : 
His bride, beloved, rejoices in his sway ; 
Heaven's lofty potentates his word obey ; 
To hell the terrors of his frown descend ; 
Earth's mightiest powers, on Him, their Source, depend 
Its empires rise, and flourish, and decay ; 
Its monarchs rule, its wide-spread realms obey ; 
Obedient to His will, whose piercing eye 
Pervades all time, and scans eternity. 

In softest silence falls the vernal shower ; 
Reviving nature owns its genial power. 
New, vital influence swells the bursting seeds ; 
Maternal earth her embryo blossoms feeds ; 
Deep strikes each tender plant its fibrous roots ; 
Through fostering soil the slender seedling shoots; 
Its rising stem expansive juices fill ; 
Soft on its leaves bright sparkling drops distil. 
By gentle breezes nursed, and summer skies, 
The lofty oak's incipient glox'ies rise, 
Till, broad and fair, its sheltering foliage spreads, 
Delightful covert o'er a thousand heads ; 
The weary beasts beneath its shade repose, 
When high in heaven the sultry sunbeam glows ; 
And blithe within its cool recesses sing 
Sweet sprightly birds of every note and wing. 
Majestic now, the stately forest's pride. 
Stands the firm tree, with fruitful seeds supplied ; 
Itself an atom once, and raised to light 
By suns, and showers, and gales, and dewdrops bright. 



BOOK VI, 169 

f3ilent and slow its gradual growth, at length 
It shines in beauty, as it towers in sti-ength. 

Even so, on earth, though unobservant eyes 
Nor knew, nor sought, the purpose of the skies, 
The seed of life, beneath Messiah's care, 
Struck its deep roots, and spread its branches fair; 
O'er weary deserts cast its lengthening shade ; 
By every wind its fragrant scent convey'd ; 
For every tribe of man's wide wandering race ; 
Matured the rich, the healing fruits of grace ; 
With healthful food the humble poor supplied, 
And bade the outcasts in its foliage hide ; 
O'er parched lands distill'd its balmy dew, 
And rose like cedar'd Lebanon to view. 

Rise, living Tree, in holier beauty rise ; 
Exalt thy towering trunk, and touch the skies ! 
Still wide and wider spread thy branches fair ; 
Let every tribe thy cooling covert share ! 
On every land thy healing fruits bestow, 
And waft thy fragrance by all winds that blow 
Fram borean climes, or southern regions mild, 
Where nature smiles, or frowns in grandeur wild. 
Rise to his praise ! His matchless might proclaim, 
Who from unmeasured heights of glory came 
In tears and blood thy sacred seed to sow ; 
From whom, exalted now, still plenteous flow 
Thy vital juices, and thy verdure bright, 
Thy days of sunshine, and thy dews by night ! 
Rise to his praise ! Mature thy golden fruits ; 
Through sterile ground still strike thy deepening roots. 
Till, bright, transplanted to that happier clime, 
Where rage no hurricanes of tempest time, 
Thy odoi'ous leaves beside the peaceful flood, 
Pure, peerless, 'mid the paradise of God, 
To endless ages shall their sweets exhale, 
And life, and health, and beauty never fail. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDO 

BOOK VII- 



In the day of Messiah the Prince, in the interval between our Lord's 
ascension and his coming again to judgment, ihe world was to be 
gradually prepared and ripened for its end. The apostles were 
to carry the tidings of salvation to the extremities of the earth. 
They were to be brought before kings and rulers, and to water the 
newly planted Churches with their blood. Vengeance was to be 
executed on the unbelieving Jews, by the destruction of their city, 
and the dispersion of their nation. The Pagan idolatry was to be 
extirpated ; the man of sin to be revealed, Jerusalem is yet to be 
trodden down; the remnant of Israel is to be brought back; the 
©lect of God to be gathered from the four winds of heaven. 

HorsleiL 



ARGUMENT. 

Salvation, the great subject and end of the Gospel.— Its 
ineffable value only fully estimated by Him from whom i 
it flows. — Its nature and results in time and in eternity. — j 
Ascription of praise from all creatures to Christ, its i 
Author. — The disciples, baptized with the Holy Ghost, , 
and endowed with miraculous gifts, are sent forth to i 
preach the Gospel to the world. — Their diverse talents : 
divinely harmonized, and adapted to the several spheres i 
of action assigned them by Christ. — Sketch of the apos- 
tolic character and ministry. — The Gospel call given to i 
the Gentiles, after long desertion, on account of their 
perverseness and idolatry. — Sovereignty of God inscru- 
table. — St. Paul, an instrument chosen, and specially 
prepared by Divine wisdom to evangelize the heathen 
world. — His zealous and extensive labours. — Athens. — 
Antioch. — Grove of Daphne. — ^Serpent worship. — Ora- 
cles silenced on the reception of the Gospel. — Parched 
deserts of Paganism refreshed by the waters of life.^ — 
Rome. — The apostle's escape from shipwreck, and ap- 
pearance before Cesar. — His martyrdom. — Establish- 
ment of the Church. — Divine appointment of its minis- 
try. — Ordinances. — Laws. — Inspiration of the apostles 
to complete the volume of revelation, by the sacred re- i 
cords of the New Testament. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 
BOOK VIL 

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.— Sf. PauL 



Salvation ! O from what empyreal height, 
What fount of living waters, sparkling bright. 
Shall sacred streams of inspiration spring, 
While mortal muse of thee presumes to sing ? 
Might cherub lyre its lofty transports lend, 
Might holy flame from seraph fires descend, 
Might heavenly wind with bright and balmy wing 
Sweep the full chord or touch the trembling string, 
Nor breath of heaven, nor angel powers sublime. 
Could teach thy glories to the sons of time. 

Salvation ! not of thee the poets sung, 
When listening nature on their music hung, 
When Fancy, Genius, Beauty, crown'd their lays. 
And smiling wreath'd the minstrel's brow with bays. 
Par other themes Apollo's sons inspired, 
Far other flames the bright enthusiasts fired. 
Yet highest, holiest energies belong 
To thee, sweet Poesy. Celestial Song, 
Why should'st thou love to haunt the flowery way, 
With sylphid forms in vagrant dalliance play 
Beneath the myrtle shade, the moonlight beam, 
Or sport with Fancy in the midnight dream ? 
Why dim thy wreath, whose amaranthine bloom 
In Eden first exhaled its rich perfume. 
While man, unfallen, primeval anthems pour'd, 
And God, in concert strains with heaven, adored ? 

Salvation ! theme stupendous ! when on thee 
Thought, mrditative, rest?, nor energy 



174 Messiah's kingdom- 

Of holy bards, of angel choirs, is meet. 

It owns a mightier impulse : softly sweet 

Descends the silver Dove ; and, whispering, brings 

Acquaintance with unutterable things. 

That voice is His : its still, deep tones of povx^er 

Breathe on the silent, calm, reflective hour, 

Gentler than winds o'er Saba's musky vale. 

Come, Guest Divine, ethereal Radiance, hail ! 

Thou, only thou, canst guide the searching mind 

Salvation in its peerless Source to find ; 

Dispense those streams which bright and beauteous roll 

In rich refreshment to the fainting soul, 

And onward, upward, to that region guide, 

Where, from the stricken Rock, those living waters glide. 

Salvation ! theme Divine, triumphant hope 
Of souls redeem'd immeasurable scope 
Of mediatorial grace, to purchase thee 
Appear'd on earth incarnate Deity ! 
To bless the world, thy priceless gifts bestow^ 
Messiah form'd his glorious Church below ; 
Sent living waters forth, and tongues of flame ; 
Bade prophet-bards, and holy seei's proclaim 
Thy solemn splendours, dimly seen from fai-, 
Or i'ising radiant in the Morning Star. 

Salvation ! as the cheering beams of spring 
Fall on dark Nature, sad, and withering 
Beneath the sullen gloom of Winter's shade, 
So comes thy message to the heart dismay'd : 
So, on the soul thy quickening rays descend, 
When Heaven's bright Day-Spring bids its darkness end ; 
So from the dust man's buried hopes arise. 
When Mercy bears thy blessings from the skies. 
Yet O, less fair reviving Nature's bloom, 
When vernal beauty chases wintry gloom, 
Than darkling man, restored by Grace Divine, 
His Maker's transcript in his light to shine. 

What is Salvation? To what gulfs below 
Shall Mercy stoop, its soundless depths to show 1 
How far above Heaven's dazzling arch ascend, 
To mark the boundary where its blessings end ? 
How distant, through illimitable space, 
Urge her swift flight its lengths and breadths to tmce ? 



BOOK VII, 17'^ 

Nor lekigth, nor breadth, nor depth, nor height is known, 

But to His eye who fills the sapphire throne ; 

To Him, Omniscient, who at once descries 

Immortal being's vast capacities; 

The fiery gulf that burns in central gloom, 

The untold pangs of sin's tremendous doom, 

The bliss, the ecstasy prepared above, ' 

The boundless treasures of the Father's love, 

The light, the glory of the Saviour's face, 

The Spirit's riches of redundant gi-ace, 

The brightness of the Triune Form impress'd 

In spotless radiance on the ransom'd breast ; 

He only to its utmost bounds can trace 

Salvation in his own unfathom'd grace. 

Yet, happy saints, who, once by sin defiled. 
Are rescued now, and saved, and reconciled ; 
From Hell and Death's infernal bondage brought. 
The whirl of passion, and the maze of thought ; 
The stings of conscience, the o'erwhelming dread 
Of judgment bursting on the guilty head ; 
Ye, wanderers once amid the realms of nightj 
Now, bless'd copartners with the sons of light, - 
Say, — for to you the sacred pledge is given, 
The seal, the earnest of your future heaven, — ■ 
Is not salvation in that Voice of Love 
"Which breathes in gentlest whispers from above, 
And bids the prostrate spirit calmly rest 
In meek affiance on the Saviour's breast ? 
In that bright hope, that faith which soars on high, 
That tranquil joy, that holy energy 
Which fills, and prompts, and purifies the soul, 
And bends its powers to Heaven's supreme control ? 

Yes, 'tis the Spirit's reconciling sign, 
'Tis the heart sprinkled with the Blood Divine, 
'Tis cancell'd guilt, 'tis fear and sin subdued, 
'Tis the purged conscience, and the mind renew'd -., 
It is the image of the Son impress'd, 
The Spirit's fellowship, the hallow'd rest 
That preludes an eternal Sabbath near ; 
The kingdom open'd in the heart sincere, 
The heaven of peace, of righteousness, of love. 
Where thoughts, desires, affections mount above , 

16 



176 Messiah's kingdom. 

'Tis charity, in gentle grace benign, 
Diffusive as Benevolence Divine. 

But sons of God, awhile in flesh confined. 
Know but in part ; to them the' Eternal Mind 
Reveals not those beatitudes above 
Where Beauty reigns, and Harmony, and Love ; 
Where sin and sorrow come not, nor the cry 
Of wailing pain, nor Death's dread agony. 
But man's pure spirit, in its glorious shrine, 
Revivified by Energy Divine, 
Shall beam with ever-during radiance bright, 
Act with new powers, expand with new delight. 
Pant to explore immensity, and climb 
The' ascending scale of being's height sublime ; 
With plume unruffled, onward, upward soar, 
And Him, its awful, viewless Fount adore ; 
Him, in his works, all perfect, glorious, see. 
And feel that all around is Deity ; 
That all is wisdom, virtue, glory, bliss. 
That heaven is love, its loftiest ecstasies 
But the full influx of that streaming tide 
Whose mighty cii-cles, strong, and vast, and wide^ 
Still-deepening joys, expanding glories spread, 
From God, the Interminable Ocean, fed. 

All hail. Eternal Word, exalted Son! 
The gift is thine ; 'tis thou the work hast done. 
To man, fallen man, through thee salvation flows, 
Thy bounteous hand the wondrous boon bestows- 
Be thine the praise, the worship ; every knee 
Bend lowly down before thy Majesty. 
Let angel hierarchies the chorus raise, 
And saints, enraptured, swell their loftier praise ; 
From all on earth, in heaven, ascend the song : 
Bright, silver floods, deep billows, hoarse and strong. 
Wild, waving woods, loud winds, whose boisterous notes 
Murmur hoarse music; clouds, whose vastness floats 
In heaven's clear hyaline, who rush to bear 
Tempestuous thunders through the hurtling air. 
Join Nature's gentler powers ; each tuneful voice. 
With man, in milder melodies rejoice ; 
Let every creature swell the song to thee. 
Dominion, glory, blessing, majesty, 



BOOK VII» 177 

To thee, the Sacrificial Victim, slain ! 

The Lamb, revived to endless life again S 

The King, exalted to thy throne on high ! 

Let heaven extol thy Name, let earth reply ! 

Through nether spheres, reverberant, roll the sound, 

Through shining orbs that wheel their nightly round ; 

From all one echo rise, one strain be heard, 

" Glory to God on high, to Christ the' Eternal Word !" 

Messiah reigns, where'er through ample space 
Stars sphered on stars, primeval darkness chase ; 
All own his hand, beneath his order move, 
All hang suspended from his throne above ; 
He form'd and rules creation ; yet on high, 
Bright in his Mediatorial Majesty, 
His Church, the purchase of his blood, he guides, 
And, ever watchful, o'er her weal presides. 
Though upward in his lucid chariot borne, 
Awhile the flock their Shepherd's absence mourn, 
Yet pastors for his fold Himself supplied, 
Form'd by his care and nurtured by his side. 

He call'd not on the mighty, nor the wise 
Intrusted with salvation's mysteries; 
The humble for his friends Messiah sought, 
With them conversed, by them his Gospel taught ; 
Their minds with light, their hearts with grace endued. 
And sent them forth amidst the multitude, 
By truth, by meekness, to subvert the sway 
Of ancient forms ; to rend the veil away 
From purblind Prejudice, from zealot Pride, 
To stem Corruption's dark and turbid tide, 
To preach to all mankind one law sublime ; 
Jehovah's ordinance through revolving time, 
Alike to Israel's sons, to Gentiles given, 
Acceptance here, inheritance in heaven. 
To ail who sue, in humble faith, for grace, 
And on the changeless Rock meek hopes of mercy place. 

He sent them forth ; but not unclothed with power ; 
Himself sustain'd them in that arduous hour, 
His agents for his hallovv'd work prepared. 
And, copious, each the Spirit's effluence shared, 
The Spirit's rich variety of grace ; 
The gifted speech, the rod of power, to chase 



178 Messiah's kingdom^ 

Dark demons from tormented souls ; to heal 

All sicknesses man's tortured frame can feel ,• 

To drink, unharm'd, the deadly draught ; repel 

The venom'd serpent's fascinating spell -, 

To bid pale Death restore his senseless prey ; 

Rend foul Hypocrisy's dark veil away ; 

On fraudful Craft the scourge of Heaven to bring, 

And, stern, confront the wiles of hell's infernal king, 

Commission'd .-lUs, and sanction'd by his word, 
Messiah yet the mightier grace conferr'd. 
Lo, mindful of his promise, quickly came 
The Paraclete, in cloven tongues of flame. 
And sat, resplendent, on each chosen head, 
Illumined, purged, refined, and comforted. 
The servants with the Master's form impressed. 
His zeal enkindled in each burning breast, 
His light, his grace, his energy conferr'd, 
To work his miracles, to preach his word, 
To share his cup of bitterness and shame, 
To seal with blood their v/itness to his Name, 

As purest gold, by seai'ching fires refined, 
Leaves the dull ore and dimming dross behind. 
So, from the mystic tongue's baptismal flame, 
The chosen twelve in holy lustre came. 
No longer now, by timid fears oppress'd, 
They linger, doubtful of their high behest ; 
But, calmly bold, assume the charge Divine, 
Declare Messiah, Prince of David's line, 
With Him, the Man of Nazareth, the same, 
And preach salvation through his only Name; 
Preach, unappall'd, though zealot rage withstand, 
And grasp the scourge, and smite with ruthless hand ; 
But menace, scourge, and death in vain affright, 
Still firm in faith, and strong in heavenly might, 
Their loosen'd tongues the Crucified proclaim, 
And ask the world's subjection to his Name. 

They spake with power : The listening nations heard. 
In varied phrase, the glorious Gospel word, 
Ponder'd with transport on the wondrous sign. 
And felt the present Energy Divine ; 
To thousand hearts the keen conviction came. 
In thousand bosoms gloAv'd the kindhng flaHafi.; 



BOOK VII, 179 

Around the cross, in suppliant grief, they knelt, 
And pardon there, and peace, and mercy felt ; 
Whom late they spurn'd, adored with prostrate awe, 
And God, Messiah, in that Victim saw. 

Proud zealots murmur'd ; impious heathen raged ; 
The world's dark I'ulers against Heaven engaged. 
Yet, what is pride, when God in power appears ? 
Vain man ! canst thou restrain the rolling spheres? 
Canst thou confine the ocean's foaming flow, 
Bind his huge billows with thy cords below ? 
Say, canst thou mount the lightning's wing, or fly 
On stormy thunders through the threatening sky ? 
As soon shall nature bend to thy control, 
Yon heavens obedient at thy bidding roll, 
Thy puny hand restrain the rushing sea, 
The lightning's wing thy fiery chariot be ; 
Sooner shall muttering thunders stoop to bear 
Thy mortal weakness through the dissonant air, 
Than thou, all impotent, in rage and pride. 
Turn the firm purpose of high Heaven aside. 

Weak man contemn'd ; but strong in Might Divine, 
In work stupendous, and in word benign. 
Forth march'd the chosen apostolic band, 
Messiah's messengers, from land to land ; 
To Israel first proclaim'd the Gospel grace ; 
Then, as the lights of heaven, their distant race 
Through varied climes in glorious circuit ran 
To bless the scatter'd progeny of man. 

Soft from yon o'erfraught cloud the genial shower 
Distils sweet moisture on each opening flower ; 
There scents the rose upon its thorny stalk, 
There bids the violet grace the enameli'd walk ; 
The tulip here disclose its thousand dyes, 
And there the lily's stainless beauty rise ; 
All from one source the crystal drops descend, 
Alike their nature and the same their end ; 
Each blooming plant, one fostering store supplies, 
Enriches all, yet each diversifies. 
So on the Church, that garden seal'd below, 
Where living trees in holy beauty grow, 
In varied forms the Spirit's gifts descend, 
Yet all on him, their bounteous Source, depend ; 

16* 



180 Messiah's kingdom. 

He sheds the light, the energy, the grace, 

All works in all, to each assigns his place, 

In beauteous order blends each diverse power 

To bless the whole ; then bids the copious shower 

In reascending incense, glorious, rise, 

Exhaled by Heaven's own light, an offering to the skie3. 

To publish mercy to man's rebel race. 
To bear Messiah's embassy of grace, 
Himself his heralds chose ; by each he wrought. 
By all his truth's stupendous mysteries taught 5 
Yet cast in various moulds each pliant mind, 
To differing talents, different tasks assign'd ; 
Call'd veteran Firmness forth to meet the eye 
Of scowling Pride and dark Malignity ; 
Bade holy Zeal the prompt instruction bear, 
To meet the proselyte's inquiring prayer. 
To wipe the tear of penitence, present 
The Lamb, to Faith's uplifted eye intent. 
Some, mild evangelists, his form express'd, 
Embued with love upon the Master's bi-east, 
Amid those starry spheres, serenely bright. 
Shone, like heaven's cresset on the brow of night, 
Or that pale fire which gilds the ethereal blue 
When evening falls, or morn with orient dew 
Empearls the silent earth ; ensphered so nigh, 
They caught the Day-Spring's earliest energy, 
Lived in its glory's emanating light, 
Reflections of Divine Effulgence bright. 

Yes ; cheer'd them.selves by wisdom's sacred beams, 
On other minds they pour'd its gladdening streams; 
Nor spake of truths unfelt, nor, calmly cold. 
In Stoic garb, their frigid maxims told ; 
But, sharers in the benefits of grace. 
Themselves redeem'd, they sought the ransom'd race, 
And show'd, with all the energy of love, 
With ardour, kindled from its Source above, 
Whate'er the Spirit's glorious light reveal'd, 
Whate'er his signet on their conscience seal'd, 
Whate'er their eyes had seen, their hearts had felt, 
Since, contrite suppliants, at the Cross they knelt; 
Since, at His call who meekly suffer'd there, 
They came, his conflicts and his crown to share. 



BOOK VII. 181 

That crown they wear in fadeless glory now ; 
Bright wreathes the laurel round the victor's brow ; 
But dark, and fierce, and desperate was the fight ; 
Against Messiah warr'd the hosts of night, 
And earth's impetuous powers, by fraud, by force, 
Essay'd to stop the Sunbeam's glorious course. 
Lo, panoplied from heaven, those warriors bore 
The blood-stain'd standard to each distant shore ; 
No tangling toils of earth-born care restrain'd, 
Nor hope, nor fear, their eager steps detain'd ; 
One only impulse ruled their hearts, one flame 
Of loyal love to that redeeming Name 
Which, broad and bright, their blazon'd ensign show'd,' 
In each unconquerable bosom glow'd. 

Come ye, who press with eager step to bear 
The churches' weight of glory and of care ; — ■ 
Come, view these models of primeval days ! 
Behold the minister of Christ, whose praise 
Is register'd among the highest names 
That earth's proud heraldry for mortals claims ! 
Come ye, whose anxious, ardent souls aspire, 
Whose spirits glow with more than seraph fire 
To climb the highest steep by Virtue trod. 
To bear unfurl'd the banner of your God, 
Through Infamy's ignoble path, or, bright. 
To plant it glorious on the mountain's height ! 
Come, patient trace the high exemplars given, 
And stoop with them, and rise with them to heaven ! 

Behold the minister of Christ ! He stands 
A mystery to the world, whose wisdom brands 
His name, his work, with folly, and decries. 
As vain deceits, the counsels of the skies ! 
He glories, — but in what ? In labours borne, 
In weakness felt, in flesh by scourges torn, 
In prison glooms, in Death's terrific shade, 
Presented oft, in direst forms array'd, 
In more abundant griefs, in perils more. 
On the deep seas, the dreary, dangerous shore, 
In perils from ferocious spoiler bands, 
From murderous Heathen, from the treacherous handsj 
Of fierce compatriot rage, from glozing guile, 
Concealing hatred by the specious smile, 



182 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM^ 

The brotherly embrace ; in painful care, 

In weary watchings, 'mid the desert air. 

Or tempest-beaten main ; in hunger,- strife, 

In all the dark vicissitudes of life ; — 

In these, his strange pre-eminence he claims. 

While zeal, and charity, with blended flames, 

Glow in his fervent breast, which, labouring, bears 

Its deep, full burthen of the churches' cares. 

Beneath the weakness of the weak he bends, 

And yearns o'er those the stumbling snare offends. 

Behold him stricken, scourged ! He meekly stands, 
And, patient, lifts to heaven his fetter'd hands 
In prayer for the injurious, while his mind, 
By pureness, knowledge, charity refined, 
Rejoices in the Spirit's light, and sheds 
Reflective lustre, as the sunbeam spreads, 
Divergent, from the mirror's lucid sheen. 
On whose bright bosom glows his orb serene. 

Behold him, in his walk of blameless love, 
Contemn'd, dishonour'd ! No reproach can move. 
No proud revilings shake, his steadfast soul, 
By meek long-suffering held in sweet control ; 
No weapon but the Spirit's sword he bears ; 
No armour in that mighty conflict wears 
Save righteousness and truth : in these complete, 
He comes, his darkest, sternest foes to meet. 

By man, proud man, despised, defamed, unknown^, 
Yet all unveil'd before the' Omniscient Throne, 
He lives, though death in thousand forms sm^ound j 
Rejoices, though in floods of sorrow drown'd; 
Endures, nor faints, while yet the chastening rod 
Attests his filial fellowship with God ; 
Though poor, yet wide his liberal hands dispense 
The richest gifts of Heaven's munificence. 
Renouncing all things, yet of all possess'd ; 
Of all, in Him whose glory fires his breast, 
For whom earth's treasured stores he counts but loss, 
Its praise, a vapour, all its honours, dross, 
Whose shame his glory and his crown he deems, 
Whose cross embraces, while the world blasphemes ; 
Exalts it, even while fetters bind his hands. 
While ruthless Death with well-poised javelin stands 



BOOK Vil. 183 

And marks his destined prey ; unmoved, resign'd, 
In loftiest, bearing of a lofty mind, 
Nor life, nor freedom, claims his thought, his care, 
Let hell oppose, let Death his shaft prepare, 
Nor Death, nor hell, his steadfast soul can move ; 
Resolved the Spirit's temper'd sword to prove, 
Resolved his arduous course untired to run. 
Nor leave the combat, but with conquest won. 

Was such the ministry of elder days ? 
The master-builders, sent by Heaven to raise 
The temple of the Lord ? How purely bright 
Shines on the Church their meek and mellow'd light ! 
How glorious on her sacred threshold stand 
Messiah's holy apostolic band ! 
Ordain'd his chosen witnesses below, 
The splendours of her inmost shrine to show, 
To teach those truths the Master's grace withheld, 
Ere yet the living Light those shades dispell'd 
Which o'er their minds in dubious darkness spread, 
Till heavenly flames their lambent lustre shed ; 
Infused the Spirit's pure baptismal fires. 
And strung to themes Divine their consecrated lyres. 

Yes ! such they were who first laborious wrought 
By works of power, by prayerful, painful thought, 
By words from heaven received, on earth to raise 
A holy temple to Messiah's praise. 
'Mid scoffing foes, a proud and treacherous band, 
Patient, they rear'd it in Judea's land ; 
In Gentile wastes the Stone of Zion laid. 
Pierced the deep gloom, the bleeding cross display'd ; 
With quenchless zeal their arduous task pursued, 
Till living stones, amid the desert rude. 
Sprang beauteous forth, though formless once, to grace 
With rising symmetry the sacred place, 
Where light from heaven in holy radiance fell. 
To bless the shrine where God vouchsafed to dwelL 

Yes ! then the nations heard the joyful sound ! 
Yes! then, the prodigal, long lost, was found! 
The wanderer from the kind paternal dome 
Was welcomed then, with liveliest greetings, home^ 
Met the soft yearnings of a Father's love, 
Received the pledge of mercy from above, 



184 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM, 

Was clothed and beautified with robe and ring, 
Call'd to partake the sumptuous feast, to sing 
With those who triumph on the festal day, 
For sorrow chased, and anger turn'd away ; 
For love renew'd, and amity, and grace ; 
For generous Reconcilement's kind embrace. 

It was an arduous task ; for proud and vain 
Was the dark world without ; De' ; sioii's chain, 
Fast riveted, the Gentile nations bound ; 
In Death's dim precincts, wrapp'd in gloom profound, 
Cheerless, they sat ; for He whose profFer'd grace 
Their fathers slighted, long had veil'd his face; 
To Error's mazy labyrinth consign'd 
The feet that sought not truth ; the darkling mind, 
That turn'd from Wisdom's glorious orb aside, 
He left to the obscurity of pride ; 
To wild imaginations, strange and vain, 
Form'd by unjudging Folly, on the brain 
Of self-complacent Ignorance, whose eyes, 
Averted from the splendour of the skies. 
In blindness seal'd^ pursued their dreary way. 
In endless wanderings from the Source of day. 

Who choose delusion God in wrath forsakes. 
By Him deserted, hell's foul spirit makes 
The tenantless abode his awful home. 
And thither all his wandering legions come, 
And there with strange infernal fetters bind 
The darken'd conscience, the perverted mind ; 
The harden'd heart to deadlier deeds dispose ; 
With subtler webs of vanity enclose 
The erring thought, the subjugated will, 
Constrain to an intenser choice of ill, 
Till light, resisted, yields to darkness dire, 
And, good repell'd, fierce evil reigns entire; 
Reigns, by the daring, desperate mind approvedf 
Even for deformity itself beloved. 

Thus, for neglected light, for grace despised, 
Love unreturn'd, beneficence unprized ; 
For vain conceits of self-exalting pride ; 
For Deity, dishonour'd, scorn'd, belied ; 
For glory, worship, from Himself transferred 
To creatures, call'd from nothing by His word ; 



BOOK vu. 185 

For ti'uth abjiued, for hell's accursed lie, 
Device of fiends, abhorr'd Idolatry ; 
For these Jehovah Gentile lands forsook, 
Indignant turn'd with stern, averted look, 
From tribes immersed in crime, and left to stray, 
Each in his dreary, dark, and devious way, 
Unvisited by Heaven's supernal light, 
To track his journey through involving night. 

Justice and grace uphold Jehovah's throne ! 
His pitying mercy even ia wrath is shown ! 
Though dark his anger o'er the nations lower'd, 
And bursting clouds the arrowy tempest shower'd ; 
Though oft his vengeance drew the glittering bladcj 
And, keen, its edge on prcud apostates laid ; 
Yet still his Spirit taught the docile mind, 
His goodness still beneficently kind, 
Witness'd by genial showers, by sunny beams, 
By ceaseless blessings, pour'd in thousand sti'eams, 
That Deity, all-powerful, gracious, wise, 
Whose bounteous hand each varied want supplies^ 
From all returns of grateful worship claims, 
Though idol fiends usurp His awful names, 
That He, sole, self-existent, ever lives, 
And bliss and being from his fulness gives. 

Profound, inscrutable, what eye can trace 
Jehovah, in his sovereignty of grace? 
No finite force may scale that fearful height ; 
No wing but droops in that stupendous flight! 
Veil'd in impenetrable clouds. His throne 
He fills sublime, and works and reigns alone, 
Nor even to angel minds His purpose shows. 
How, then, shall man, whom darkling mists enclose^ 
Presume, with lisping tongue and thought confined^ 
To scan the counsels of the' Omniscient Mind, 
Draw, with unhallow'd hand, that veil aside, 
And search the secrets God I'esolves to hide? 

How shouldst thou know, why primal virtue fell ? 
Why Eden wither'd in the blast of hell? 
Why Gentile nations, long the tempter's preyj 
Uncall'd, beneath the frown of judgment lay ? 
How shouldst thou know why He whose zealot mind. 
Convulsed with rage, in frantic fury blind, 



186 Messiah's kingdom. 

Whose reeking hands ensanguined tokens bore, 

Whose uncleansed raiment blush'd with martyr's gore,- 

Whose ravening cruelty, whose breathless haste 

(As famish'd wolves the dam and younglings waste, 

Or eagle pounces on the fluttering brood) 

With savage ire the infant Church pursued,^ — 

How shouldst thou know, why sovereign Mercy rush'd 

To thwart the murderer's path, while anger flush'd 

His burning cheek, and from his ardent eye 

Shot flames of zeal ? Hath God inform'd thee why 

Himself, array'd in robes of dazzling light, 

'Mid roar of thunders, gleam of lightnings bright, 

Stood forth, to check the persecutor's course, 

And bend the rebel by almighty force ? 

Suffice for thee, the work he wrought. Behold 

The ravening wolf, that havock'd wide the fold, 

Transform'd, the Shephei-d's gentle charge to bear, 

To feed the flock, to make the fold his care ! 

Behold the zealot's fiery wrath repell'd ! 

Behold the storm of rage and hatred quell'd, 

The self-complacent Pharisee subdued. 

The proud opposer rise a saint renew'd, 

Messiah's foe the sacred sign embrace, 

And Saul of Tarsus preach the Saviour's grace. 

God works in sovereign wisdom : He combines 
All agencies to perfect his designs ; 
Prepares his ministers amid the flames 
That kindle round his burning throne ; or claims 
The meanest effort of creative skill. 
To show his glory, or perform his will. 
Alike, beneath his hand, beneath his eye, 
The worlds of intellect, of nature, lie 
In elemental separateness display 'd, 
As matter, ere those shining heavens he made^ 
Or this revolving earth : nor works he less 
His own sublime, eternal purposes, 
Whene'er his sovereign wisdom wills to bind, 
Concentring splendours in a single mind. 
Than when from rude, chaotic night, and all 
The grossness of this dark terrestrial ball. 
He sever'd, by his word, the glorious light, 
And form'd the sun in fuU-orb'd radiance bright. 



BOOK VII. 



187 



Yet not from grosser elements withdrawn. 
Shines for itself the giant star of dawn; 
But, broad and bright, dispreads its beams of power 
O'er the tall cedar, and the tender flower 
That blossoms in its shade. Creation sings 
Its earliest chant, beneath the fostering wings 
Of Deity's pure image ; in its course, 
Beneficent, unsullied, as the Source 
Which gave expansion to its gladdening blaze ; 
Bright, m meridian altitude, its rsiys 
Dispense their largest blessings ; gild with fire 
The gorgeous crest of evening, then retire ; 
Retire to reascend. 

So God ordains ; 
Nor less o'er man, in grace and wisdom, reigns. 
The gifts vouchsafed to one, for all design'd, 
Nor form'd a Day-Spring but to bless mankinds 

Such was Heaven's chosen instrument of grace ; 
A sun ensphered to guide the wandering race ; 
Himself emerged from twilight's darkling shade ; 
By Power Divine an orb of glory made; :.[ . 

His lucid course through every clime he ran, ' 
To bless the scatter'd progeny of man. 
Such was Messiah's herald, train'd to bear 
His holy charge, with more than mortal care. 
Alike by nature and by grace endow'd. 
Who peerless stood, amid the listening crowds 
In heathen lands proclaim'd the Gospel day^ 
And bade admiring potentates obey. 

Yes ! such was he, who track'd, with dauntless mindj 
His blood-stain'd path to glory ; who resign'd, 
In steadfast faith, to Christ, his life, his all ; 
Whose burning bosom own'd the Master's call. 
And sprang with seraph zeal, from land to landj 
The fearless witness of his truth to stand. 
Yes I such was Paul ! the man of loftiest mood I 
Unawed by threats, by sufferings unsubdued ; 
Who, arrn'd with holy energy, appear'd 
The champion of the Cross, where Falsehood rear'd 
In proud colossal fabric, to the skies. 
The Babel shrine of hell's idolatries; 

17 



188 Messiah's kingdom. 

Where Vice, to Superstition's cause allied, 
In gorgeous purple, propp'd the throne of Pride j 
Where Pleasure, trick'd with meretricious art, 
Spread silken toils for Folly's thoughtless heart ; 
Where vaunting Science show'd his treasured lore ; 
Where proud Philosophy her chaplet wore ; 
Where Valour bared his sword to guard the pile 
Of old ancestral gods ; where, stern, the smile 
Of skeptic Scorn, or cold Indifference met 
The angel form of Truth ; or ruder threat, 
Or arm of Violence, repulsed the light. 
Her torch reflected on their deeds of night. 

Dark on the world the veil of covering lay ; 
Love, ardent Love, resistless urged his way. 
He heard a voice from Macedonia's shore : 
Saw Thracia's snow-crown='d heights his aid implore ; 
Europa's isles and Asia's cities knew 
The angel herald, as sublime he flew ; 
They saw him on their idol shrines alight, 
And urge dark demons to inglorious flight ; 
They saw the dying live, the dead arise, 
Ethereal splendour pour'd on sightless eyes ; 
They saw, and, wondering, own'd the Power Divine ; 
They felt, and bless'd the saving grace benign. 

Bear witness, far-famed Athens ! For to thee 
He brought the pure, the true philosophy ; 
The wisdom which thy sons could never find, 
The knowledge of the One Eternal Mind. 
Come, with thy pride, before the stranger bow ; 
Unbind the laurel from thy lofty brow ; 
Confess thy boasted science wildering dreams, 
And bend thine ear attent to sacred themes. 
Which soaring Reason strives in vain to reach, 
Which learned lore of schoolmen cannot teach. 
Come, learn of him, though skeptic Pride deny, 
That earth and heaven, the work of Deity, 
Subsist, but by his will ; that he controls 
The world he made, sustains each orb that rolls 
O'er the blue vault above : nor fate, nor chancej 
Nor atoms, wheeling in incongruous dance, 
Nor powers of earthly or celestial mould, 
His glory share, with him communion hold. 



BOOK vrio 

tie dwells on high, uncircumscribed, supreme ; 
On man his bounteous gifts perennial stream j 
Nor offering seeks, but worship of the mind, 
Devoted homage from the soul design'd 
Alone for heaven and bliss, O then how rain 
His pure, incorruptible light to stain 
With earth's similitudes, by art impress'd 
On Matter's dark, inert, corporeal breast ! 

Of God, of man, the sacred preacher spoke; 
With kindling zeal his holy accents broke ; 
While, with authority of Heaven endued, 
Sublime, he taught the wondering multitude 
The fearful terrors of that day of ire. 
When Judgment, folding the wide woi-ld in fire, 
Shall sit on human souls ; when, clothed with shame, 
Or bright in glory, every mortal name 
A voice of thunder to that bar shall cite ; 
When Death, stern Death, beneath superior might 
Vanquish'd and spoil'd, no more shall hold the slaira 
In dark subjection to his iron reign. 

Intense they gazed, while on his burning tongue, 
Like altar fires, his fervid accents hung ; 
Yet softer sounds with gentler impulse came, 
When melting Pity spoke Messiah's name ; 
The sacred story of his love rehearsed, - . . 
Of Sin's tremendous penalty reversed, ' 
Of cancell'd guilt, of endless life, design'd 
The purchase of his death for all mankind ; 
Of Gentile tribes, a dark and wandering race. 
Invited now to Heaven's eternal grace ; 
Commanded, warn'd, Delusion's paths to leave, 
And wisdom from the Fount of light receive. 

Not soon to heavenly teaching bends the mind 
Where Knowledge, self-complacent, dwells enshrinsdj 
Where lofty Pride, voluptuous Pleasure reign, 
And Vice and Vanity their rule sustain. 
Too happy, or too wise, with skeptic sneer 
It turns from truths which angels list to hear, 
So turn'd thy philosophic sons away, 
Proud Athens, on that memorable day; 
Yet soon that memorable day shall rise 
Bright on eternity's unclouded skies. 



190 Messiah's kingdom. 

Shall they not then the slighted boon lament ? 

Shall they not then the cool disdain x-epent? 

Go, child of vanity, renounce thy pride ; 

Lay thy false estimates of self aside ; 

Conform thy reason to the Truth Divine ; 

At Heaven's own Day-Spring light that torch of thine : 

So shall it yield a calm and temper'd ray, 

No ignis-fatuus, glittering to betray, 

But bi'oader, brighter, purer beams extend, 

Till with essential Light its hallow'd radiance blend. 

Yet some of humbler mood the truth received, 
And, even at Athens, senators believed ! 
Stoop'd to the bleeding Cross, nor fear'd to brook 
The taunting lip, the cold disdainful look. 
But, singly bold, the Gospel's power confess'd, 
And felt its signet on their souls impress'd. 

Yet I'uled Apollyon o'er those regions fair ; 
Proud tower'd his temples ; round his altars there 
Hell's demon hosts, in flowery garb array'd, 
Gali'd Beauty, Genius, Science to his aid ; 
Bade every Muse his gorgeous chaplet weave, 
Wit, Taste, Philosophy, his yoke receive ; 
Bow'd even sublimest Reason to his sway, 
And shrouded nature from the light of day ; 
In various climes his mighty empire laid. 
With various arts the subject world he sway'd. 
'Mid roseate bowers, supine, in slothful ease 
He left the sons of Indolence ; no breeze 
Of rising thought disturb'd the stagnant mind 
In Pleasure's lap, on mossy banks reclined ; 
He roused them not from dreams of soft repose, 
Save to delirious passions, wild as those 
Which haunt fierce Fever in his fiery pain. 
Or, furious, revel in the maniac's brain. 

Was Greece, proud Greece, for arts, for arms, renown'd, 
With dire Delusion's iron fetters bound ? 
Thou, too, luxurious Asia's splendid queen, 
Bright Antioch, captive by her side wast seen. 
Deck'd with her spoils, and swollen like her with pride, 
Within thy soft domain gay Pleasure vied 
With loftier passions, for the passing hour ; 
Beneath her potent spell the hero's power, 



BOOK VII, 191 

Decayingj droopM ; while Virtue's gentler grace, 
With veil dependent, sought a holier place. 
With her, 'mid Daphne's myrtle shades reclined, 
Thy sorts, voluptuous, wooed the fragrant wind • 
In strange deliquium of dissolving thought, 
Their dreary bliss in sense, in fancy, sought^ 
Where silvan nature Beauty's hand array'd, 
Train'd the bright laurel, arch'd the cypress shade^ 
Led the clear streamlet down the verdant hill, 
The charmed ear bade sounds harmonious fill, 
And odorous shrubs their spicy balsams weep, 
In soporiferous dream the enchanted sense to steep- 
There, as in Eden erst, the serpent lay ; 
Bright gleam'd his scales beneath the sunny ray. 
And wide his coils inextricable spread, 
And fell the venom'd shaft that arm'd his head ; 
And deep and dire his guileful arts, to bring 
His heedless prey beneath his deadly sting ; 
And myriad victims, in that spell-bound shade, 
Within the monster's dreadful toils were laid. 

Yes, there, 'mid sumptuous offerings, bright enshrined. 
Dwelt Python, earliest troubler of mankind ; 
And there, as erst in Delphic caverns heard, 
Gave murmuring forth the dim, deceitful word ; 
His frantic priestess fill'd with transport wild, 
And suppliant crowds, to worship vain beguiled- 
On him, false spirit, though in specious guise 
Lurking unseen by unanointed eyes, 
Awaited priestly pomp, and victims crown'd, 
Virgins and youths who wheel'd in mazy round 
The dance unhallow'd, while mellifluous song 
Led the light train with heedless steps along. 

'Tis past ! the word of power dissolves the spell ^ 
Messiah's cross confounds the fiends of hell; 
His herald speaks ; the voice of Heaven is heard ; 
Pale Grief looks up ; and Misery, at his word, 
Desponds no more ; foreboding Guilt drav/s nigh, 
To catch sweet sounds of peace ; Idolatry 
Sits trembling on his ancient gorgeous throne ; 
From darkling caves no demoa's direful moan, 
Or voice delusive, meets the startled ear. 
'Tis past ! hell preludes its destruction near ! 
17* 



192 Messiah's kingdom, 

A mightier Presence in this awful hour 
Arrests the dragon, and controls his power. 

Parch'd is the desert ground beneath the blaze 
Of torrid skies ; no cooling mist allays 
The glowing fierceness of that arid wild, 
Nor gentle rain, nor breath of zephyr mild ; 
But wide fell Simoom's fiery wings expand, 
And sport with Death 'mid clouds of scorching sand. 
Such is the land of idols ! Drear domain. 
Where hell's foul spirit holds his dreadful reign ! 
Unverdant, unrefresh'd by rill or shower. 
Blasted and sear'd beneath the baleful power 
Of that infernal orb, whose rayless heat 
Bids fever'd life with throbbing pulses beat, 
Ignites with demon fires the darkling sphere, 
And rules in dimness, agony, and fear. 

As Moses, when from Horeb's rifted side. 
At Heaven's command, he called the gushing tide, 
Rejoicing saw new life inspire the frame, 
As eager to the crystal current came 
Myriads of parched lips ; so, joyous, stood 
The messenger of grace beside the flood 
That roll'd translucent o'er that desert ground. 
He saw salvation's healing streams abound ; 
He saw the living draught by Heaven applied ; 
Saw nations rushing to the silver tide ; 
Then onward flew, with herald trump, to call 
A world to taste the stream that flows for all. 

Heaven gave a vast circumference to his flight; 
Pour'd OH his mind its own resplendent light ; 
Endued with gifts of knowledge, gifts of grace. 
With varied powers to teach man's varied race. 
To realms where science beam'd the truth he brought, 
'Mid Pleasure's bowers its holy maxims taught ; 
He taught it where the stormy, sea-girt coast 
Sustain'd its veteran sons, a martial host, 
Unconquer'd by the iron hand of Power ; 
But yielding, in that strange, impressive hour, 
As melting snows, beneath the solar beam. 
Glide copious down to swell the mountain stream. 

The world, its wisdom, folly, rudeness, guile, 
He had not fear'd to meet. Beneath the pile 



BOOK VII. 193 

Of Superstition's towers that train had laid 
Which made earth tremble, hell look on dismay'd. 
Still was his utmost labour unachieved^ 
His fiery baptism but in part received ; 
He waited yet thehallow'd cross to bear; 
With Christ conformity in death to share, 
Assured his resurrection's power to prove. 
And wear the martyr's brightest crown above. 

Rome, proud, imperial Rome ! not yet to thee 
Had Paul fulfill'd his sacred ministry ; 
Yet stood thy name upon the scroll he bore ; 
And, heaven-directed, to thy distant shore 
Behold the stranger comes ! 

Look up, and see! 
Thou, who art wont in gorgeous embassy 
To gather round thee on thy throne of pride 
The loftiest names to pomp and power allied ! 
O say, will thy imperious purple own 
That weary, wo-worn, fetter'd man, unknown, 
Meet herald for its stately presence ? where 
Neglect or scorn even crowned monarchs share? 
Where self- sufficient Glory, deified, 
Sets his stern foot on diadems of pride. 
And spurns or crushes, as caprice or power, 
Ascendant, triumphs o'er the passing hour ? 

Yet, look again upon that stranger's mien ; 
There is a majesty thou hast not seen 
Even in the eye of Victory, when crown'd 
Witl> laurels newly v/reathed, and gazing round 
From trophied car, triumphant on the crowd 
Lifting the clarion trump in praises loud. 
Nor sits such lofty grace on Cesar's brow, 
While at his feet obedient senates bow, 
As marks that reverend face, tliat beaming eye, 
Bright mirror of reflected Deity, 
Whose Spirit animates the lowly frame, 
And claims thy homage, though the marks of shame 
Sear his dishonour'd limbs. 

He hath outrode 
The tempest, when Euroclydon bestrode 
The rushing meteor in the eastern sky ; 
When fierce and angry billows, vaulting highj 



194 - Messiah's kingdom^ 

On their dark tops, like Alpine mountains, bore 
Bright wreaths of snowy foam ; when, rude, the roar 
Of clashing thunders swell'd the dissonant blast, 
And forked lightnings round the straining mast 
Glanced their keen fires, and flash'd with flaming sweep 
Down the dark furrows of the yawning deep. 

Dauntless he gazed on that tempestuous sea ; 
He saw the hand that set the whirlwind free, 
With Heaven's dread angel converse held, sublimej 
Look'd forth on scenes beyond the bounds of time, 
And holy words of grace and comfort spoke, 
Though wild winds strove and waves impetuous broke^ 
And shelving rocks in treacherous ambush lay, 
And Death, expectant, gorged his trembling px*ey ; 
For powerful rose the prophet's voice on high, 
Benignant Mercy heard his wi'estling cry, 
And angels, ministrant, descending flew. 
Forth from the deep each struggling victim drew, 
And to the prayer of faith triumphant gave 
That prisoner's trophies from the yawning grave. 

He comes, in venerable age, in chains, 
To stand at Cesar's bar ! yet there sustains 
The glory of the cross. His herald there, 
He comes, Messiah's amnesty to bear, 
Even to the throne of kings ; nor fears the might 
Of tyrant rage, nor Envy's baleful blight ; 
But, bold, empanoplied in strength Divine, 
Unfurls aloft salvation's sacred sign ; 
That sacred sign its wonted power sustains, 
Nor earth nor hell Jehovah's might restrains ^ 
Awhile infernal wrath its stroke suspends, 
*rhe firebrand from the grasp of rage descends ; 
Awhile the furious lion leaves his thrall. 
And Rome's proud palace hears the Gospel call ; 
That kindly call a thousand hearts embrace, 
And myriads own the energy of grace ; 
While truth and goodness, with sublime control,, 
O'erawe the proud, subdue the abject souL 

To him, whose sacramental pledge was given, 
To live and die for Christ ; who once in heaven 
Had seen the blaze of empyrean light, 
And at the groves of Eden, in his flight. 



BOOK VII. 



195 



Had rested to converse with angel powers 
And sainted prophets in those blissful bowers ;— 
To him, whose spirit soar'd and breathed above, 
Death had no form of terror ; only love 
Inspired one fervent wish, — awhile to bear 
The Saviour's cross, his Churches' griefs to share, 
Or, glad, conclude his mortal course, and rise 
At once to nearer converse in the skies. 

At length, his work complete, his conquests won, 
His griefs endured, his glorious circuit run ; 
At length, resplendent, from the opening skies, 
Beam'd in Messiah's hand the martyr's prize. 
With unfilm'd eye that glittering crown he view'd, 
Through pain and death his onward course pursued, 
Victorious sprang the gladdening smile to meet, 
To lay his banners at his Captain's feet. 
Transcendent triumph closed the glorious fight. 
And seraphs throng'd with coronals of light 
To watch the scene, to catch the parting breath. 
To bear the spirit from the grasp of death ; 
To scatter radiance round the crimson'd tomb, 
And redolence of heaven's immortal bloom, 

Rome, blood-stain'd mistress of the world, 'twas thine 
To quench in death this flaming Light Divine ! 
Yet still thy cruel, keen, unglutted sword. 
From martyrs' veins the purple current pour'd ; 
Beneath thy murderous steel in faith they bow'd, 
And left on thee, presumptuous, ruthless, proud, 
The stain of holy blood, the direful curse 
Denounced by Him who sways the universe. 
That curse, beneath thy trophied arches laid, 
Beneath thy frowning bulwarks' ample shade, 
Beneath thy towers of strength, thy temples proud, 
Insidious wrought, till crumbling ruin bow'd 
Each mighty structure to the blasted ground. 
And Nature wept, while Heaven in anger frown'd. 

Established on the Rock, the Stone of might, 
Now rose the Church in holy beauty bright; 
Against it hell in vain its strength essay'd ; 
Each living stone on that Foundation laid, 
With noiseless art, by heavenly skill prepared, 
The temple's symmetry and glory shared ; 



196 Messiah's kingdoMo 

Bask'd in the beams of Truth's transcendent light. 
Which, there unveil'd in stainless splendour, bright^ 
Disclosed the lengtlis and breadths of Love Divine^^ 
The Godhead, glorious in his mystic shrine. 

He form'd tiie Temple ; He its guest becan;e ; 
His quickening Spirit breathed the living flame. 
Kindled sweet incense on his altar there. 
Perpetual sacrifice of praise and prayer; 
Himself its sacred services ordain'd, 
Its lamps in undiminish'd light sustain'd ; 
Upheld its stars in his right hand, and moved 
Amid the glory which his soul approved. 

He form'd its ministry, to feed, to teach j 
He gave the apostolic charge ; to each, 
Discernment, wisdom, miracle, supplied, 
The power to rule^ the gentleness to guide ; 
The high commission in his awful Name, 
His terms of peace, of pardon, to proclaim ; 
To minister the sacramental sign, 
The cleansing water, and the mystic wine - 
His impress on the sainted mind to bear, 
His work fulfil, his cup of suiFering share ; 
His bright exemplar to his Church to show. 
Walk as he walk'd, and live like him below. 

He fix'd its laws ; his teaching Spirit came^ 
As erst to prophets, in refining flame. 
And bade inspired evangelists record 
The sacred words of their incarnate Lord ; 
Retraced his lessons on the' illumined mind, 
And siamp'd them as the charter of mankind ; 
His life, his death, his wondrous works declared^ 
The rich rewards for humble faith prepared, 
Unfolded mysteries angels sought to know, 
Secrets of heaven, which only He could show 
To whose omniscient eye, in stainless light, 
Salvation, in its depth, and breadth, and height,^ 
Stands all unveil'd ; the meed his sufferings won^ 
The glorious triumph of the' exalted Son. 

Nor these alone the mystic Spirit taught, 
But future scenes from distant ages brought. 
Disclosed the march of Providence on high. 
Through paths perplex'd to all but Deity, 



BOOK VII. 197 

ReveaPd the kingdom of the Man of Sin, 
The Church, by foes without, by fears within, 
Perturb'dj oppress'd, till that transcendent hour^ 
When, bright in majesty and strong in power, 
Messiah's arm shall all her foes subdue ; 
The earth, the heavens, in glorious light renew^ 
His purchased, spotless bride, triumphant, own, 
And raise, illustriou?, to his heavenly throne. 

'Tis done ! the teaching angel's charge is o'er ; 
The Voice oracular instructs no more ; 
No visions now prophetic seers engage : 
But truth, transmitted through the sacred page^ 
With perfect, constant, heaven-descended ray^ 
Instructs the Church to track her devious way ; 
Completes in Patmos Eden's earliest beam, 
Celestial efflux of the Light Supreme ; 
Transcript of Him whose grace the gift bestow'dj. 
From whom the Spirit to the Churches flow'd ; 
Who erst in elder prophets spake, sublime. 
And taught the origin of earth and time ; 
Nor ceased to whisper to the tutor'd ear^, 
Nor ceased in trance to meet the gifted seer^ 
Nor ceased the figured m3Astery to show, 
To bid the streams of inspiration flow, 
Till doctrine, precept, prophecy, complete^ 
In one concentring orb of glory meet, 
And God's eternal oracles dispense 

j The finish'd counsels of Omnipotence. 

\ Hail, Holy Record of supernal love ! 

I Thy living lines even seraphs search above^, 

j And saints below with holy wonder trace, 

i Intent to learn thy mysteries of gracSa 

(Stupendous register of truth sublime, 

!'Tis thine to chase the darkling mists of time j- 

:To cheer the mariner with friendly light, 

'Through shelving rocks to guide his course aright | 

To show, beyond the deep, that peaceful shore^ 
Where waves subside, and tempests rage no more j 

iBut heaven's unsetting splendours radiant glowj, 

Nor season's change, nor night of sorrow know. 

I Eternal Oracle of Truth, thy voice 

iBids Misery hope, and holy Faith rejoice ; 



198 Messiah's kingdom. 

The v/ayward step of thoughtless youth restrains; 
Soothes hoary age, amid its cares and pains ; 
Pours heavenly music on the raptured ear, 
When Death's dread angel draws in stillness near ; 
Proclaims, beside the grave, that destined hour. 
When, strangely quicken'd by all-conquering Power, 
Each captive, from its dark recesses brought. 
Shall share the victory by Messiah wrought. 
Emerge from Hades' deep sepulchral gloom, 
And wave his palm of triumph o'er the tomb. 

Hail, Holy Book ! While time its course pursues. 
And earthly lights their transient splendours lose, 
While earth-born streams to trickling rills decay, 
The Spirit's flood, with broad and beauteous sway, 
Shall through thy consecrated channels pour, 
Bless the wide world, and spread from shore to shore j 
Circumfluent roll, with still augmenting sweep. 
Its mighty volume to the boundless deep, 
Till every wave its vital influence feel, 
And ocean tribes confess its power to heal ; 
Till cluster'd islands raise the joyful song, 
And sea-girt rocks Salvation's strains prolong ; 
Messiah's law with thankful hearts receive^ 
Adore his mercy, and his truth believco 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 
BOOK Vili. 



With regard to the destruction of the Jewish nation, and the couise^ 
quent downfall of their religious institutions, which they all along 
opposed to Christianity, it may be observed, that no events what- 
ever could have contributed so effectually to the conversion of both 
Jews and Gentiles. For it is a known f-jct, that while the Jewish 
constitution subsisted, the spreading of the Gospel was hindered, 
both by the believing and unbelieving Jews ; the tarmer disgusting 
the Gentiles, by endeavouring to subject them to the law of Mo 
ses*, and the latter terrifying them, by the persecutions which 
they raised against the disciples, even in heathen countries. But 
the abolition of the Mosaical institutions confuted the error of the 
one, and the destruction of the nation broke the power of the 
©ther, Bonsoji, 



IS 



ARGUMENT. 

Portents of the fall of Jerusalem. — Awful nature of an 
appeal to heaven. — The obstinate rejection of Messiah 
by the Jews avenged, and their fearful imprecation ful- 
filled, in the destruction of their city and temple, and in 
their own unparalleled sufferings. — God's especial care 
over his people, and his providential interpositions for 
their deliverance in seasons of general calamity and 
judgment. — The dissolution of the Jewish polity, and 
consequent abolition of the Mosaic ritual, a dispensation 
of mercy, as well as of justice; removing entirely the 
typical and representative system, and thus making 
room for the reality which it prefigured. 

The glory, fall, and restoration of Jerusalem : An ode. — 
Part I. Ptighteousness and Peace its early designation 
under the reign of Melchisedeck. — The abode of the 
patriarchs. — ^Visited by angels, especially the Angel of 
the Covenant, the Leader and King of Israel. — Its regal 
glory. — Solomon's temple. — The prophets. — The law. — 
God manifest in the flesh. — Its fall, under the stroke of 
Divine wrath. — Part II. Prophetic annunciations of the 
renewed glosy and prosperity of Jerusalem, on the re- 
pentance of Israel, and their embracing Christ as the 
Messiah. 



lESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 
BOOK vin. 

A day of wralh and recompense.~J3orB*. 



Vapours load tlie murky air, 

Darkness sails on sullen wing, 
Lightnings gleam, and comets glare. 

Moaning sounds hoarse night winds bring ! 
Vultures swoop, and ravens scream. 

While o'er the sky 

Tempestuous fly 

Swift steeds of fire, 

And warriors dire. 
Whose clashing swords ensanguined gleam. 

Stern the clangous trumpet's sound 

Comes, in fitful echoes borne, 
Earthquakes cleave the solid ground, 

Cities from their bases torn 
Augur Ruin's march of Death ; 

While close behind, 

On tainted wind, 

Twin demons sail, — 

Gaunt Famine pale, 
And Pestilence with poison'd breath. 

Hark ! at midnight's solemn hour, 
Hoarse those ponderous hinges grate ! 



202 Messiah's kiJ^gdom. 

Fielding to Tineavthly power, 
Lebanon! unfolds its gate ! 
Cedars, on its lofty brow, 

As aspens shake, 

Tall fir-trees quake^ 

And howl for fear 

Of judgment near. 
While low the oaks of Bashan bov/. 

Priests, who on the altar wait, 

Tend by night the sacred fire, 
Hear ye not the voice of Fate, 

While the viewless guests retire ? 
Whence that sound of rustling wings ? 

That silent tread, 

Those accents dread, 

That wound the ear 

With boding fear, 
JPortentous of unutter'd tilings? 

Worshippers, whose wakeful prayer 

Swift prevents the morning ray. 
While your ofFer'd gifts ye bear. 

While your plighted vows ye pay. 
See ye not that dazzling light, 

Which spreads and streams 

In dismal gleams, 

A nd dims the fii-e, 

Whose flames aspire, 
From sacrificial altars bright ? 

'Tis Jehovah^s wrath that burns ! 

Judgment bears the sulphurous brand ! 

t " By Lebanon most interpreters understand the Temjple, whose 
stately buildings resembled the tall cedars of that forest. There is 
a remarkable story mentioned by the Jewish writers to this pur- 
pose ; — Some time before the destruction of the temple, the doors 
of it opened of their own accord ; a circumstance attested by Jose- 
phus. Then R. Johanan, a disciple of R. Hillel, directing his speech 
to the temple, said, ' I knovY thy destruction is at hand, according 
to the prophecy of Zechariah; Open thy doors, O Lebanon,^ &.c. By 
the several sorts of trees are meant the several orders and degrees 
of men who shall be sharers in the commou destrnction."-~Z,ow(ft. on 
Zeeh xi 1, 2 



BOOK VIII. 203 

Lo, his face in anffer turns 

From devoted Zion's land ! 
Vengeance draws his glittering blade, 

And, furbish'd bright, 

Its lurid light 

Portentous falls 

On Salem's walls, 
On Judah's leaguer'd towers dismay'd. 

Whence proceeds that doleful cry, 
Burthen'd with the wail of wo ? 
Hark ! the voice of Destiny 

Moans a nation's overthrov/ ! 
Hush ! with melancholy sweep, 

O'er tower and fane 

That boding strain 

Re-echoing falls, 

And plaintive calls 
A reprobated land to weep ! 

Whence these fearful sights and signs, 

Heaven perturb'd, and earth dismay'd? 
What in Judgment's mystic lines 

Stands on Zion's v/alls portray'd ? 
What ? 'tis Zion's hour of doom ! 

Her cup o'erflows ! 

The curse she chose 

Assails her towers, 

Her hosts o'erpowers, 
And famine, fire, and sword, consume ! 

Yes ! that curse in heaven was heard ! 

Vengeance placed its record there ; 
Justice weigh'd the dreadful word 

Murmur'd in the murderer's prayer ! 
Now the dire response descends, 
For Calvary ! 
Yon lurid sky 
Portentous glows ; 
To Zion's foes. 
Stern his sv/ord Jehovah lends, 
And o'er her guiUv head his righteous wrath impends? 

18+ 



204 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM 

O 'tis a fearful thing to pour the pi'ayer 
To Him who meets the spirit everywhere ; 
From whom no deep, deceptious veil can hide 
The arts of sophistryj the thoughts of pride ; 
Who seals the grace by lowly faith implored, 
And marks the curse by impious rashness pour'd j 
That dread appeal no light- wing'd winds disperse, 
Ko dews dissolve, no powers of earth reverse. 
Jehovah grasps his thunders ! Who shall stand 
Against the terrors of his outstretch'd hand ? 
What shield avert the imprecated stroke ? 
What worm Omnipotence to wrath provoke 1 

Judea! had thine eyes His hand beheld, 
Then had thy rash blaspheming lips repell'd 
That cry of blood, whose wild and clamorous soundj 
With tempest murmurs roll'd its echo round, 
And bade each minister of wrath prepare 
His furbish'd sword ; the deep, the earth, the air. 
In hoarse vibrations to that voice reply. 
While angry thunders shook the distant sky, 
As, stern, his bow the dread Avenger drew, 
And round thy reckless head his fiery arrows flew. 

Close of a host of wrongs, that ruthless cry 
From thee, Jerusalem, was heard on hjgh ! 

Ah ! how thine eyes were closed ! Thou wouldst not see 
The wing of Mercy spread to shelter thee ! 

Thou wouldst not hear the tender plaint of Love, 

Who watch'd the vulture pouncing from above ; 

No ! to that fostering screen thou wouldst not fly, 

Till Rapinfe seized thy fluttering progeny. 

Drank the warm life-blood from their reeking veins, 

And strew'd their crimson'd plumage o'er the plains 5 

No, not from thee the Stem of Jesse's line 

Received meet homage, Israel's Star Divine 

Illustrious rose ; but thine averted eyes 

Refused the lambent glory of the skies. 

Messiah sought his own ; but found in thee 

A wilful, proud, and stubborn enemy, 

Whom neither grace could win, nor goodness charm, 

Kor pity sooth, nor charity disarm. 

Nor miracles convince, nor love persuade, 

-Nor truth admonish, nor long suffering aid. 



BOOK viii. 205 

Thy impious hand the cup of blessing spurn'd, 

Till slighted balm to gall and wormwood tuvn'd, 

Till to thy lips its bitterest dregs applied, ) 

Constrain'd thee, loathing, in the dust to hide > 

The tortures of thy perfidy and pride. } 

It was a fearfol hour when, stanch and true 
To Heaven's command, Rome's mighty legions drew 
Around thy walls their fierce and proud array ; 
When their plumed eagles to the dreadful fray 
Of faction, envy, strife, and fury came, 
Of guile, revenge, and every hatefiul name 
That wars with human peace, with human kind 5 
When each fell passion of the darkling mind 
Grappled within thy breast, and fixed the brand 
Of infamy on thy devoted land ; 
When thou, as heaven, exalted once, wast laid 
In hell's dim precincts of uiihallow'd shade, 
A guilty outcast from Jehovah's face, 
A dred.d exemplar of rejected grace. 

It came in clouds! That dark, that wrathful day^ 
Which He who travell'd once thy steepy way 
With tearful eye beheld. He saw it lower, 
With gathering blackness, o'er the fane, the tower, 
The peopled walks beneath. He saw, and wept, 
While yet the storm in lingering stillness slept ! 
O hadst thou melted in those tears of love ! 
O had that sympathy had power to move ! 
Even then, perchance, the tempest blast had stay'd, 
Nor Zion's beauty been in ashes laid ; 
Even then the yearning lenderness of grace 
Had yielded still some transient moments' space. 
Had lengthen'd thy tranquillity, and turn'd 
The shaft aside that bright in anger burn'd. 

But — no ! In vain those copious sorrows flow'd ! 
In vain that warning voice thy sentence show'd ! 
Suffusing blindness seal'd thy closing eye ; 
Thy heart of adamant no sympathy 
Gould wake to tenderness or shame ; thine ear 
Shut up its foldings, and refused to hear. 
And now the day thou wouldst not use is past ; 
Thy marshall'd enemies entrench thee fast ; 
Beside thy towers their ponderous shields they raise^ 
^cale thy broad walls, possess thy public ways, 



206 Messiah's kingdom. 

Lay thy proud bulwarks prostrate on the ground, 
Thy children in promiscuous wrath confound. 

Alas ! what tearful muse her lyre shall string 
To Zion's wail of wo ! What colouring 
Of deepest tint that dismal scene portray, 
When, crush'd by wrath Divine, sad Salem lay ! 
Ah! not the weeping minstrel's saddest wail, 
Nor dai-kest, deadliest poison of the vale, 
Nor hues by Fancy in her moodiest vein 
Thrown wild and lurid o'er the maniac's brain, 
Can tones of grief, can tints of terrors yield, 
So deep, so dire, as that dread hour reveal'd ! 
'Twas suffering earth's excess of ill ; the shade 
Of Nature's throes in dissolution laid. 

Lo, Death's dread angel takes the charge Divine ; 
The war, proud Cesar, is not Rome's, nor thine ; 
Jehovah bids thy veteran legions close 
Around those walls his angry wrath o'erthrows. 
No line of golden shields, empyreal sent. 
Now guards those towers, that temple's battlement. 
The glory is departed ! Far, O far, 
Retires the light of Zion's guiding Star, 
He, erst the Captain of her hosts, in ire 
Confronts her now ; no swift-wing'd steeds of fire 
The thunders of the' invader's might withstand ; 
But Heaven's own arm o'erwhelms a guilty land. 

Go, mount the breach, the massive gates unfold ; 
Be war's tempestuous tide still onward roll'd ! 
Go, — gasping Famine has prepared thy way, 
Plague calls thy hovering eagles to their prey. 
And there the desecrated carcase lies, 
Abhorr'd of earth, abandon'd by the skies, 
Devoted to each foul and ravenous beak, 
That blood allures obscenest food to seek. 

Hark I 'tis the rush of battle ! Loud and strong 
The wild wind bears its echoing shouts along ; 
Trumpets, and clashing arms, and boisterous cries, 
And snorting steeds, and thundeiing battei'ies. 
Roar in commingling tumult wide and far. 
And drov/n the deadlier dissonance of war ; 
The shriek, the dying groan, the wailing cry. 
The wretches' curse, the prayer of Misery, 



BOOK VIIi. 207 

Breathed in extremest need to Him whose ear 
Amid the ravings of the storm can hear, 
Whose pity, even for those condemn'd to die. 
Disdains not Mercy's still imploring cry. 

Back I'olls the tide from ocean's cavern'd shore, 
On moveless recks returning billows roar ; 
So Zion's sons the desperate shock sustain, 
The stream of carnage ebbs and flows again, 
Till heaven's wide concave glows with wasting fires, 
From tower and dome the vaulting blaze aspires. 
Encircling flames her spacious courts consume. 
Her cedar'd roofs exude their rich perfume, 
Her marble floors in crackling fragments fly, 
Her golden gates in molten ruin lie. 
Temples and towers, and palaces descend, 
With peasant homes in stern destruction blend • 
And thou, even thou, whose venerable state, 
Magnificent, amid the frowns of fate, 
Like Sinai, 'mid Arabia's desert sands ; 
Even thou, assaii'd by sacrilegious hands, 
Imperial Salem's pride, Jehovah's shrine, 
The sacred dwelling of the Guest Divine, 
Even thou, to wra.th in this decisive hour 
Must bend, stern trophy of the Gentile's power. 

Yes, 'tis the day of vengeance long foretold ! 
The foes of Zion triumph ; fierce and bold 
The Heathen plants his standard on that throne 
Where dwelt, in light, the' Invisible, alone ! 
Rome's blood-stain'd eagles there their pinioris spread, 
Where once the Ineffable his glory shed ; 
Jehovah's house, polluting idols stain. 
And proud idolaters his name profane ; 
Intrusive, to that dread arcanum press, 
W^here erst enshrined in feai-fial holiness, 
He veil'd his awful Majesty from view, 
And round his throne the mystic curtain drew. 
Yet stay, presumptuous Heathen ! own his power, 
Revere his judgments in this dreadful hour ! 
Lo, Zion faints beneath the frown of God ! 
And what art thou? — the sword, the scourge, the rod. 

'Tis done ! thy glorious heavens are wrapp'd in night - 
Thy sun is dim ; thy moon's resplendent li^ht 



208 Messiah's kingdom. 

A sanguine shade invests ; thy stars are cast 
Down to the ground, as, by the whirlwind's blasts 
Fall the sear'd fig-tree's leaves. Jerusalem ! 
When men recovmt calamities, condemn 
Outcasts to execration, then of thee 
Shall their thoughts ponder ; then thy misery, 
The acme of all human ills, shall rise, 
Their sum of vengeance, horror, and surprise. 
Nay, righteous Heaven itself hath given in thee 
Exemplar of its terrors. Soon shall flee 
Before the coming Judge this mortal scene ; 
And sinners, visited as thou hast been. 
Shall writlie beneath the vengeance of his rod, 
Who spurn'd the gracious clemency of God. 

Yet, ever on the faithful rests his eye, 
A nation's wreck, a world in agony — 
Turns not from them his tenderness, his cares ; 
His love a covert from the storm prepares ; 
Bids War his adamantine links unclose ; 
Suspends dissolving Nature's final throes : 
By them, amid the tempest clouds, are seen 
Seraphic sights, and forms of heavenly mien ; 
And angels, ministrant, in glorious band, 
Descend to save them from the spoiler's hand ; 
Nor falls the fiery deluge on the plain. 
Nor Cesar's legions Zion's ramparts gain, 
Nor reels creation to its destined fall, 
Till God's elect his clarion trumpets call, 
Till sainted feet the appointed refuge find. 
And leave the sulphurous storm, the sword of war, behind. 

Type of a world destroy'd, prelusive sign 
Of Guilt's excision from the peace Divine, 
By Heaven set forth, devoted Salem lies ; 
Yet mercies from the depths of judgment rise, 
Jehovah's ways man's laboui*'d thoughts transcend, 
By wisest means he works the noblest end. 
And still inscrutable in counsel shines. 
While power and love effect his vast designs ; 
While justice vindicates his awful throne, 
And truth and goodness make his nature known. 
'Twas he, incomprehensible, who fought 
Against oifending Israel, and brought 



i 



BOOK vin» 209 

The Gentiles to his fold : He scourged their crime, 

And swept aside that institute sublime 

Which shadow'd mercy's mystery to tiie world ; 

His glorious house from Zion's height he hurl'd, 

His ploughshare o'er her desolations drove. 

Sent forth her unbelieving sons to rove 

As outcasts from his face. 'Twas wrath Divine, 

For guilt's rejection of the grace benign, 

Messiah's slighted love. 'Twas Mercy, tooj 

Whose hand the ceremonial sign withdrew ; 

Hid types and shadows obsolete ; declared 

The mysteries of that elder age, prepared 

But as the vestibule of Glory's shrine, 

Abolish'd now by ordinance Divine ; 

Proclaim'd the temple's sanctities complete, 

The pale removed, the radiant mercy-seat 

To all accessible, who plead the grace 

Messiah purchased for a guilty race ; 

Renounce the righteousness of self and pride, 

And only live through Him who for their ransom died. 



JERUSALEM. 

HER GLORY, FALL, AND RESTORATION^ 

A LYRIC EPISODE. 

IN TWO PARTS. 

PART I. 



You ouJy have I known of all the families of the earth : therefore I 
will punish you for all your iniquities. Amos iii, 3. 

How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his 
anger! Lam ii, 1, 



Daughter of Heaven, fair Solyma, from far 
Thy glory, like the morning star, 
Upon the solemn brow of night. 
Precursor of approaching light, 

Amid surrounding shadows beam'dj 
Ere yet the dawn with orient splendour stream'd. 
Kings were the guardians of thy infant hours ! 
Peace strew'd thy way with flowers, 
And Righteousness, 
With lifted hands, benign, came forth thy youth to bless : 

Beneath thy palmy shade, 
The pilgrim patriarchs stray'd , 
Drank from thy vine 
Refreshing draughts of pure nectareous wine ; 
Received thy regal bounty spread 
Before the weary warrior band, 
While b&ssings on the anointed head 
Flow'd through thy sacerdotal hand 



BOOK VIII. 211 

Thou, with thy subject woodland, hill and plain, 
A smiling land, where rills of sweetness flow'd, 
Didst spread thy shadowing wings to entertain 
That stranger, to whose faith Jehovah show'd, 
That in revolving time 
His myriad sons should climb 
Those mountains' mossy summits, and command 
Vales, plains, and cities, with their sceptred hand. 

Soft on thy twilight shade, 

Or Avhen Creation laid 
It3 weary head upon the breast of Sleep, 

Thy whispering breeze its sighs suspended , 

Thy hush'd harmonious spheres attended. 

While some celestial seraph, bright, 

Furl'd up his wings, and deign'd to light 

Beside the sainted pilgrim's tent. 

On heavenly ministration sent ; 

Or, fond, the midnight watch to keep 

With those beloved ones, 

Creation's younger sons. 
Above the elder born, who Mercy*s favours reap. 

Yes ; and ere yet enshrined 
In semblance of mankind, 
To thee the Covenant Angel frequent came , 

In converse sweet, as friend with friendj. 

Did faithful Abraham's steps attend ; 
Reveal'd his incommunicable name. 
The oracle of mystic mercy gave. 

Promise of him, who, strong to save. 

Should on Moriah's mount appear ; 
He brought the distant day of glory near. 

The rich reward of faith bestow'd, 

Messiah in his suiTerings show'd, 
Messiah, risen triumphagt from the grave. 

To thee, too, came the Word, 
Girt with his warrior sword ; 
Thy valiant hosts to conquest led, 
His ensign bright before thee spread. 
The Captain of the army of the Lord : 

19 



212 Messiah's kingdom^ 

King o'er Jeshurun's tribes he reign'd, 
Amid them placed his throne of power. 

Their foes by miracle restrain'd, 
And shielded in temptation's hour. 

Kings in thy stately halis 
Furl'd up their banners ; hung upon thy walls 
The gorgeous shields ofvanquish'd enemies; 

Thy mountain heights the fortress crown'd. 

Where Judah's lion stood and frown'd, 

Lord of the subject forest round ; 

While glistering in the purple skies, 

Thy ivory throne was seen to rise 

Like Lebanon, whose drifted snow 

Returns the sunbeam's early glow 
In thousand haloes bright, in thousand rainbow dyes. 

Yet, not thy warriors, proud, renown'd 
For triumphs o'er the uncircumcised, 
Nor diadems of monarchs crown'd, 

Nor golden shields of foes chastised, 
Nor cedar'd domes of stately height, 
Nor lucid sheen of ivory bright, 
Conferr'd on thee, illustrious quecHj 
Thy peerless dignity of mien : 
No 5 'Twas from Him who claim'd thee for his bride^ 
And came to' abide 
In fellowship with thee ; 
Who deign'd to be 
Acknowledged as thy Lord ; and by his side 
To seat the chosen Grace his love had magnified, 

'Twas then, when to his house 

Thou earnest with plighted vows. 
And holy promises, to consecrate 
To Him thy earliest and thy latest hours ; 
On him in duteous faithfulness to wait. 
Bend to his will submissive, and thy powers 

For him alone employ. 
Yes, then did joy 

Present it richest, fullest cup; 
Then were thy purest splendours kindled up 



BOOK viir. 213 

By bright irradiations from his eye ; 
Be cheer'd with smiles of graciousness and love 
Thy meek, confiding heart ; and from above 
" Came forth to shrine his Majesty 
In temple rear'd by mortal hands. 
Hail, Solyma, resplendent from afar. 
Fair morning star ! 
Unrivall'd stands 
Thy glory to remotest lands ! 

Yes, graven in immortal lines 
The holy record shines 
Of that illustrious morn 
When Israel's joyous land awoke, 
And cymbals, trumpets, timbrels, broke, 

And lute, and harp, and horn, 
At once, upon the ravish'd eau? ; 
When swell'd the loud adoring liymn, 
As on the wings of seraphim, 
Jehovah to his shrine drew near ; 
While princes, priests, and prophets bow'd 
Beneath that dazzling cloud, 
Whose I'olling volume spread 
Throughout the trembling shrine 
Where prostrate worshippers, in wondering dreadj 
Confess'd the incumbent Majesty Divine ; 

Where David's regal Son 
Pour'd suppliant forth the hallow'd orison ; 
While bright, as erst from Sinai's smoke, 
The flame, insufferable broke. 
Retiring priests confess'd the sign, 
Beheld the dreadful glory shine ; 
And Israel's God, adoring, saw 
Ascend his throne, in silent awe. 

Thine was the mount of vision ; and to thee 

Was given the lyre of prophecy. 
On thy illumined eyes 
Rose wondrous scenes, celestial mysteries. . 

Beyond the dimming vale of time, 

To thee was shown a world sublime s 



214 Messiah's kingdom= 

A world from all but thee conceal'd, 

When, conversant with God alonej, 
His Spirit to thy sons reveal'd 

Unutter'd secrets, things unknown. 
His stormy path they view'd, 

'Mid clouds and tempests dire, 
His chariot, borne by whirlwinds rude, 

Or lightning steeds of fire, 
Or, rolling calm in tranquil might 
Diffusing joy, and life, and light. 

The' Adoption was thine own ; 
For thee the glory shone ; 
To thee the law its awful sanctions gave ; 
And thou, by solemn ritual bound, 
With covenant privilege wast crown'd. 
To thee was given 
Exemplar of the hallow'd things in heaven ; 
Ofservice acceptable there. 
Propitiation, praise, and prayer, 

Emmanuel came to thee ! 
The mystery 
Of Godhead veil'd in flesh thine eyes beheld I 
Yes, Abraham's holy Seed was thine. 
The Heir of David's regal line. 

By boundless grace impell'd, 
A stranger to his brethren came ; 
Reveal'd the eternal Father's name, 
Before thine eyes his power display'd ; 
The midnight tempest sway'd. 
Trod the rough billows of the raging sea ; 

Through Death's terrific shade 
Sent the stern mandate of authority : 
Yea, in thy view. 
Climbing yon mountain's i-ugged height, 

His arm hell's adverse powers o'erthrew 
And, conquering by resistless might, 

The dragon's sting he drew ; 
Victorious, with majestic tread. 
There crush'd the scaly monster's head. 



BOOK Villa 215 

Where is thy glory now, 

Glueen of the lofty brow ? 
Fallen is thy diadem of pride ; 
And Desolation's drear and ruinous tide 

Hath beaten on thy shores ! 

Round thee the wild Avind roars, 
And o'er ungenial climes thy children wander wide ! 

God hath despoil'd and brought thee low, 
Beneath whose tread the kindling mountains glow ; 

Who, o'er the young and orient light 
His curtain spreads, and nature mourns in night ; 
Whose mighty hand 
Grasps the dark billows of the deep, 
Pours rushing cataracts down the rugged steep. 

And o'er the cultured land 
Bids desolating torrents sweep. 

Yes, He, who, when a dark and wondering world 
Had, unrepentant, run its course of crime, 
Forth from his throne sublime. 

The bolt of threaten'd vengeance hurl'd ; 
Ruptured the channels of the central deep, 

Unzoned the ambient firmament, 

Earth's massive bars in sunder rent, 

And bade wide-wasting waters sweep. 
He frown'd in wrath on faithless Israel ; 

Beneath that frov/n devoted Zion fell. 

'Twas dark and terrible ! 
It left thee, Solyma, a lurid star, 
A meteor, in a wild and turbid sky ; 
A beacon, seen in stranger lands from far, 

The dread portent of hastening destiny. 
The pilgrim, traversing thy mountains drear, 

Looks on the scene of wrath ; 
He feels vibrations shake the tremulous sphere^ 
Confusion veils the earth ; 
To heaven he turns, and, pale with fear, 

Beholds its dazzling glories fled ; 
No birds on cheerful wing are near. 
Nor man ; 'tis solitude and dread ! 
19* 



216 Messiah's kingdom. 

Creation bears that frown impress'd 

Upon its withering breast. 
The pilgrim, as he turns his steps and sighs, 
Hears the lone waihng of a voice that cries, 
** Ah ! wo is me ! for whom the murderers wait ! 
Ah ! wo is me ! my soul is desolate ! 
Me ! whom no eye regards in sorrow's sad estate !" 



JERUSALEM. 

HER GLORY, PALL, AND RESTORATION, 

A LYRIC EPISODE. 
IN TWO PARTS, 

PART II. 



Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles 
afar off; and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and 
keep him as a shepherd doth his flock. Jer. xxxi, 10. 

They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding; and they 
that murmured shall learn doctrine. Isaiah xxix, 28. 

The children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and 
without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, 
and without an ophod, and without teraphim:t afterward sliall the 
children of Israel return, and shall seek the Lord their God, and 
David their king; and shall fear the Lord and bis goodness in the 
latter days» Hosea iii, 4, 5. 

The Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, 
and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the 
garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, 
thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Isaiah li, 3. 



Mourner, hush ! What soothing voice 
Speaks of comfort, speaks of joys ? 
'Tis the bard, whose burning hymn 
Glows like strain of seraphim ; 

He who beheld Jehovah on his throne, 
Heard the veil'd hosts proclaim 
Thrice the' unutterable Name : 
" Holy, holy, holy," cry, 
" Is God, the Lord Most High !" 

His glorious Majesty in all his works is shown^ 

t Divine Manifestations.— J5?V/jo;> J\rewton, 



218 Messiah's kingdom. 

Mourner, hush ! the bard that sings 
Heard the seraph's rustUng wings ; 
Saw him to the altar turn, 
Where celestial ardours burn ; 
Felt the flame his lips impress, 
Felt the quickening hoUness, 
Felti the Spirit fire his breast, 
Fearless claim'd the high behest. 

Baptized in flame, 

The prophet's name, 
The prophet's charge he sought ; 

To themes unsung 

His sweet harp strung. 
And heavenly mysteries taught. 

Bright on his soul, 

With rapture fraught, 

Strange visions roll 

And fire his thought. 
He saw the glory and the grace, 
The wo, the weal of future days ; 
Beheld in dim perspective view. 
The sight from which the sun withdrew 
Beheld his people scatter'd, peel'd, 
For mercy spurn'd, to judgment seal'd , 
Beheld the tempest cloud remove. 
And awful Justice yield to love. 

Who is this that mournful sits 

Beneath the palm-tree's shade? 
To the conqueror stern submits, 

In trophied pride array'd ? 
None sustains the head depress'd, 

None the word of comfort speaks ' 
Lo, her sorrows soil her breast, 

Her tears are on her cheeks ! 

Ye who weep with those that mourn, 

Regard her plaintive strains ; 
From her mate the ringdove torn, 
Less piteously complains, 
A mother's grief, 
That spurns relief, 



BOOK VIIL 219 

Of all her darling sons bereft ; 

A widow's tears, 

And untold fears, 
Are hers in desolation left. 

Ah ! it is Zion in captivity 

That thus sits desolate ! 
Her sad estate 
A minish'd band of trembling elders see. 
Silent, beneath her ruin'd towers they stand j 

Or, lowly, on the ground. 

In floods of sorrow drown'd, 

Bewail Jehovah's hand, 
In judgment resting still on their once-favour'd land. 
Their wither'd frame rude sackcloth seeks to hide, 

And on their age's pride 

Defiling dust appears. 

What eye can look on thee 

In thy captivity, 
Sad Zion, and not wet his cheek with tears? 

Who but must weep ? For where, 

Above thy bulwarks, fair. 

Once floated Judah's standard in the breeze. 

Shadowing thy fanes and palaces. 

Now, with malignant beams, 

The lurid crescent gleams. 
And chills and blasts the springing sap of life : 

O'er hordes of abject slaves 
The banneret of Mecca's prophet waves. 
And holds with truth and virtue ceaseless strife. 

Yes ! o'er thy holy walks, 
Sad Solyma, the barbarous spoiler stalks ' 
No dew is on thy mountains ; 
And from thy unfed fountains 

No living waters flow. 
Carmel and Sharon languish. 
All nature mourns in anguish 
The bitterness of thy sad overthrow. 

Who but will join in deep lament 
With thy sad sosis in banishment? 



220 Messiah's kingdom. 

Who will fiot mingle tears with thincj 
Defiled, deserted Palestine? 
While o'er the scene of thy solemnities 
They turn their wondering eyes, 
And see the Gentile there, 
Where once thy house of prayer 
Received the radiance of the orient skies ; 
Where incense rose 
At evening's close, 
And pure and bright 
Heaven's lambent light 
Kindled the hallow'd morning's sacrifice. 
Where, on the outstretch'd wings of cherubim, 

Appear'd the fiery tbrone of Him 
Who there in shrouded glory deign'd to rest ; 
There with the mitred priesthood spoke, 
By Urim and by Thummim show'd 

The mind of God ; 
In light and in perfection broke 
Upon the dazzling gems of Aaron's sainted vest 

Ye who love the sacred land 

To ancient Israel given, 
Ye who seek to understand 
The mysteries of heaven, 
Listen to tlie raptured tones 

Of Zion's loftiest lyre. 
Form, with Abraham's favour'd sons^ 

One sweet, harmonious quire. 
From the dust the captive queen 

Shall yet majestic rise. 
On her ivory throne be seen, — 
While subject enemies 
In suppiiance meek 
Her favour seek, 
And look with strange surprise 
On her, though late 
So desolate, 
Yet bearing now 
A blazing circlet on her radiant brow, 
And scattering lucid glory from her eyes. 



BOOK vni. 221 



Ye who on the watchtower stand, 

To hail approaching light, 
See ye yet the dawn at hand ? 

Retires the darkling night? 
Hark ! the watchmen loud reply, 

" The shades of night retire! 
Beams of glory tint the sky, 

The hills are tipp'd with fire !" 
Watchmen, while the morning breaks 

Upon the mountain's brow, 
While the curling mist forsakes 

The sleeping vales below, 
See ye, by that beam so bright, 

The beauteous feet draw nigh ? 
Say, does Israel wait for light ? 

Ascends to heaven the cry ? 
" Not from Israel's thousands yet 

Ascends the voice of prayer; 
But the herald's beauteous feet 

Messiah's way prepare. 
Soon the supplicating grace 

As mountain showers shall fall ; 
Then the long-deluded race 

Shall on their Saviour call." 



Hark ! on the troubled air 
Breathes not even now the voice of prayer ! 

What means that plaintive cry, 
Which trembling, quivering, mounts on high ? 
" Return, return, offended Lord ! 

Righteous Judgej forego ihine ire. 
Let thy temple rise restored, 

Cluench the still consuming fire : 
All our bones to blackness burn'd. 

Wasted all our shrivell'd skin ; 
Let thy wrath aside be turn'd, 

Cease thine ire, forgive our sin ! 
God of Abraham, build thine house ? 

Reunite its scatter'd stones ! 
Isaac's God, regard our vows! 

Hear afflicted Israel's moans'.'- 



222 Messiah's kingdom. 

Ah ! widow'd Palestine, 
Were but these sorrows thine ! 
Then should the vivifying breezes blow 

O'er that dark charnel vale, where low 
And long thy children's whitening bones have lain j 
Then should the voice of prophecy go forth, 
And from the earth 
Raise up the slain, 
And bid them live, and breathe, and stand again^ 

An army of the Lord, 
To high and holy privilege restored. 

Yes ! when the Sun of Righteousness shall rise, 

Thaw and dissolve the icy heart of stone ; 
When the swollen bosom heaves with contrite sighs, 
And tears of shame and grief flow mingled down ; 
Yes ! when the eyes long closed shall see, 

The sealed lips their Lord confess ; 
Then shall thy rude captivity 

Return, in sevenfold streams of peace ; 
Then shall the Lord his temple build again. 
His covenant with the chosen seed renew - 
On David's throne in promised glory reign, 
And every foe beneath his feet subdue. 

For thus the prescient Spirit spake by thee. 

Afflicted Jeremy, 

Whose trembling fingers swept, 
A plaintive lyre, attuned to sorrow's tones. 
Ah ! who, unstricken by thy patriot moans. 

Has not in pity wept, 

And, touch'd with sympathy 
Thy solitary towers in dust to see. 

Sat with thee on the ground, 

In speechless grief profound. 
And met with answering groans thy wail of agony ? 

Dim in the midst of distant years It 

Thy venerable form appears, 2" 

Thy pallid cheek is wet with tears, j 

And that sunk eye and bending frame 
The anguish of tliy soul proclaim. 



BOOK viiu 223 

Ah! thou hast seen Jerusalem in blood, 
Pierced by the arrows of avenging God ; 

Hast seen her sink beneath the smarts ^ 

As faints and falls the stricken hart, > 

Sore wounded by the archer's dart. } 

Thou saw'st her, as inflamed with wine, 

An outcast, in confusion lie ; 
But ah ! her cup was wrath Divine, 
In fury mix'd, and manthng high ! 
. Thou saw'st her sons, as monsters wild. 
Entangled in the hunter's thrall ; 
Thou saw'st the sacred house defiled. 
The sacred city fall ! 

Yet in that hour of doom, 
When all around was gloom, 
To thee, amid the silence of the night, 
The Spirit's hallow'd inspirations came, 

And kindled bright 
Of hope, and peace, and joy, the heavenly flame ; 

Then by that light 
Thou saw'st Jerusalem repentant come, 
Even as a wanderer, to her long-lost home : 
Weeping, the penitent appear'd. 

Accepting chastisement Divine, 
And in thine ears a sound was heard 
Of mourners, who in anguish pine. 

Then Ephraim, docile, humbled as a child, 

Before thine eyes in meek submission stood ; 
No longer like the steer, untrain'd and wild, 

But contrite, weeping at the feet of God. 
Then to thine ears, in gentlest strains, and mild^ 

A Father's soothing, soft relentings came. 
It was that pitying Voice which, reconciled. 

Restored to Ephraim his filial claim ; 
Then pass'd his thousands, gather'd like a flock 

Beneath the shepherd's care, 
Screen'd from the sunbeams by the lofty rock, 
Or fed in pastures fair ; 
Fast by the silver strearOj 
Mong the dewy vale^ 
20 



224 Messiah's kingdom. 

Conducted by the hand of Him 

"Whose promise cannot fail. 
To Zion's heights they rise ; 

With Judah, Ephraim meets ; 
Loud hallelujahs rend the skies, 
And earth the strain repeats. 
How hallow'd, while before thy wondering sight 

The towers of Zion from their ashes rose, 
While on her re=erected bulwarks bright, 

The lion standard waved o'er J udah's foes ? 
How hallow'd to thine ea.rs the blessing came, 
That blessing utter'd in Jehovah's name ! 
How did thine heart respond the prayer, 
That sacred Justice there 
Might fix her pure abode ! ' - -^ 
How did thy quivering lips express,, 
"O Mount of Holiness, 
Be thou the throne of God !" 

Bright was that vision, sainted seer, to thee, 

And sweet the sleep on v/hich its wonders rose 
Soft from thy harp of plaintive minstrelsy, 
In soothing tone the holy raptiu-e flows ! 
From every lyre 
In Zion's quire, 
Respondent rises too the strain 
That He who in disdain 
Disown'd Jerusalem, 
Will yet recall her to his arms again. 

Though from the quiver of his wrath 
He drew the vengeful shafts of death ^ 
And, wing'd as lightnings through the an , 
Earthquake, famine, plague, and war. 

His ministers of dread. 
To scathe rebellious Israel's head, 
Even as an oak by furious tempests riven ; 

Yet, as that oak, though iDlasted, shoots 
Young saplings from its yet uninjured roots. 
So, quicken'd by the fostering care of Heaven, 
For Abraham's sake restored. 
The holy seed again shall bloom^ 
And yield its rich perfume, 



BOOK VIII. 



2U6 



And wide its branches spread. 
And raise its lofty head, 
As towers on Lebanon the cedar of the Lord ! 

Yet, ere that day of glory come, 

The darken'd heavens with deepening gloom 

Shall signs portentous bear ; 
Hoarse, murmuring thunders roll above. 
Earth's strong foundations trembling move^ 

And whirhvinds rend the air ! 
Yes ! judgment shall Messiah's way prepare : 
His enemies shall feel his might. 
Who bears his two-edged weapon bright 

Still girded on his thigh ; 
His arrows on his mighty bow, 
New strung to lay the wicked low, 

Shall kindle as they fiy ! 

The Heathen who presumptuous stood, 

In all the bitterness of scorn, 
Exulting o'er the sons of God, 

When outcast, desolate, forlorn, 
Shall feel the power their pride disdain'd;. 

When Javan bends to Judah's might, 
And dim with sanguine meteors stain'd. 

The lurid crescent sinks in night. 

Who still refuse to own 
The sure Foundation Stone 
Shall feel its ponderous weight descend. 
And break the neck that will not bend, 
And grind to dust the stubborn frame 
That, proud rejects Messiah's claim, 
That will not own his judgment just. 
Nor, suppliant, to his mei'cy trust. 
Nor touch the sceptre of his grace, 
Nor, contrite, kiss the Son, nor, meek, his rule embrace. 



Thou, Israel, then shalt own 
That precious Corner Stone ; 
Shalt gaze with weeping eyes, 
While springs of sorrow rise! 



226 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

Yes ! there shall be a gushing tide 
Of anguish for the Crucified ; 
For Him transpierced on Calvary, 
A flood of grief and agony, 
Empassion'd as the stream that rose, 

With rushing agitated swell 
When, stricken by Egyptian foes, 
Josiah at Megiddon fell ! 
Bitter and deep that loud lament shall flow, 
Like his who, in an ecstasy of wo. 

Bewails his first born slain ; 
Who sees his manhood's pride, his age's stay, 
His only hope, untimely torn away. 
The hapless victim of disease and pain. 
Then, then, in lowhness of heart. 
Shall grieve each family apart ; 
David mourn the king rejected, 
Levi weep the pi-iest denied, 
Nathan, prophecy neglected. 
Bitter Shimei own his pride. 

Then shall the Lord his ancient word fulfil ; 
To David's head the regal crown restore ; 
Again his temple build on Zion's hill ; 
Replant his vine, to root it out no more. 
Discord and enmity 
To heh's dark caves shall flee, 

And hcavcn-born Love, 
Descending from above. 
Soft, on balmy wings dispense 
Gentler, sweeter influence 
Than ever precious unguent shed, 
Pour'd by anointing hand on Aaron's sainted head. 

Israel's mountains then shall bear 

The withering curse no more ; 
Truth and justice, ruling there, 

The blessing shall restore ; 
Soft as dews on Hermon's hill, 

Its genial influence shed, 
Brig;ht, as when tlie storm is still, 

Enlivening sunbeams spread. 



BOOK Vlli. 227 

The desert then shall bloom. 
And yield its rich perfume, 
Fragrant as Eden's bowers, 
When garlanded with Nature's earliest flowers ; 
Then towering cedars to the skies 
On snov/-clad Lebanon shall rise, 
And on the wilderness descend refreshing ehowera- 

Then shall the .staff of Ephraim 

Be one with Judah's sceptred rod, 
United in the hf^nd of Him 

Who is again his people's God ; 
The weak, in David's might, 

Before tlie Lord shall stand, 
And he, as Gabriel bright. 

The strength of God's right hand. 
Within the sacred towers 
No violence shall dwell. 
The dire destroyer's powers 

Messiah's arm repel. 
Beneath his banners ranged, 

The scatter'd multitude, 
To warlike thousands changed, 
The veteran strength renew'd, 
Shall fight beneath their Captain's eye^ 
And earth and hell before them fly. 

Nor Beauty, Plenty, Arnity, alone, 

Nor Valour, round His throne, 
Shall cluster fair ; 
But Tru'ch and Gentleness his v/ay prepare, 
In righteousness his majesty be shown. 
The Glueen in costly raiment brought. 
As tissued rainbows richly wrought 

In cloth of glistering gold, 
In beams as bright as rising day, 
His blended graces shall display, 

His dazzling gifts unfold ; 
Her handmaids, pure in virgin white, 

With downcast eyes her train shall bear \ 
For m the heavenly Bridegroom'3 sight 
Humility alone is fair. 
20* 



228 Messiah's KiNGDOMa 

No beauty may his favour shai-e, 
But unstain'd holiness ; 
That blood-wash'd dress 
His saints shall in his glorious presence weai*. 

When pitch'd again in Judah's land ^ 

His tabernacle pure shall stand, > 

No Levite there, with uncleansed hand, j 

Shall on his service wait ; 
No priest the hallow'd vessels bear, ^ 

The altar's costly offerings share, > 

Ephod or shining breastplate wear, ) 

Or move in mitred state ; 
But he who on a spirit recreate, 

As on a living tablet, bears impress'd 
The signature which stamps an angel great, 

Who shows in sunbeams pencill'd on his breast 
The mystic holiness of Aaron's sainted crest. 

The priesthood shall be holy. On that day 

Each worshipper shall lay 

Upon the hallow'd shrine, 

Sprinkled with blood Divine, 

A holy offering too ; 

The sunder'd veil pass through, 
And there, while curling clouds of incense rise, 
In grateful fragrance to the bending skies, 
Jehovah reconciled, in soften'd splendour view ; 

There, at the mercy-seat, 

The God of glory meet. 
In holy praise and fervent prayer 
The fellowship of angels share j 
Angels, who love to linger there. 
Where saints, admitted to communion sweet, [feet. 

Find, like themselves, their heaven at the Redeemer's 

Haste, then, ye days of glory, when the light 
Now beaming from the star of prophecy 

Shall fade, absorb'd in perfect vision bright ; 
When Zion's watchmen, seeing eye to eye. 
From all her heights shall shont salvation nigh ; 



J 



BOOK VIII. 229 

When with the Herald's voice 
Re-echoing wilds rejoice, 
And ioud winds waft it to the listening sky. 

Salem, when, O when, to thee 
Shall come the trump of jubilee ? 
When upon thy listening car 
Shall burst its music sweet and clear ? 
Bid thy sons from dust arise, 
Hear the heralds of the skies, 
Bid them hail Messiah's name, 
Him the Pi-ince of life proclaim, 
Loud, though late, hosannas raise, 
Christ, the Son of David, praise ? 

Then shall their land, now desolate. 
Regain its lost estate ; 
Then shall the towers of Zion stand secure ; 

Her bright foundations pure, 
Reflecting heaven's own beams, shall evermore endure 
Her gates Jehovah's arm shall raise, 
And call them, Praise ! 
Make them resplendent with his glory's blaze, 
As light upon the glistening ruby plays. 
Around her walls no stranger foes 

In hostile might shall close ; 
On every lofty tower unfurl'd 
Her banner to the wondering world 
Salvation's sacred sign shall bear. 
And tell, no weapon prospers there. 
Her righteous sons Jehovah makes his care, [fair^ 

There plants his peaceful throne, and builds his temple 

Pure on those pearly skies 
The blushing morn shall rise ; 
O'er that pellucid atmosphere. 
As diamond bright, as crystal clear, 

The sunbeam cast its thousand dyes. 
There glistening with intensest light. 
That giant orb, in sevenfold might, 
O'er the blue heavens shall urge his way ; 
Nor vagrant cloud through ether stray, 
To intercept one dazzling ray ; 



230 Messiah's kingdom. 

Nor dusky shades of night 
Again involve the world in gloom, 
When that triumphant hour shall comS;, 
In clear, unwaning lustre bright, 

The spotless Church shall shine^ 
Mirror of grace, of purity Divine, 
Effulgent with the blaze of glory infinite. 

Beneath Messiah's hallow'd reign 
Nor sin nor sorrow's shades remain ; 
Far from his joy-inspiring eye 
The mists of tears, of mourning fly • 
His Church below, like that above, 
Shall weep no more, when sovereign Love 
His fulness of salvation shows, 
And each replenish'd soul with glorious bliss o'erflows. 

Hark ! to the world that trump of jubilee 
Proclaims release ! 
It proffers thee, 
Outcast and captive, liberty and peace ! 
Not Moses, when from Sinai's flame 
To thee, in Egypt's bonds he came, 

Such sounds auspicious brought ; 
Not in his hand the wondrous rod, 
Beneath the energy of God, 

Such signs mysterious wrought, 
As thou shalt see, if yet at length 
Thou wilt the Gospel tidings hear; 
For then shall Israel's God appear 
To save thee in his strength. 

Great was thy might, O God of Israel, 

When haughty Misraim bow'd beneath thy stroke j 
Great was thy might when stern Assyria fell, 
When impious Babylon received thy yoke. 
Again thine arm, uplifted high, 

Its vengeance on thy foes shall wreak ; 
Proud Nilus' sevenfold stream be dry ; 

Euphrates turn his current back. 
Yes! when thy hand, ungrasp'd, shall set 
The rushing tempest whirlwind free, 



BOOK Vlll. 231 

The ocean shall its course forget, 
And mountain waves a bulwark be. 
It is thy word, who hast compress'd the sea 
Within its circling zone of sand ; 
And o'er the land 
Sooner its waves shall roll tumultuous! y, 

Than thy decree 
Less firm than heaven's eternal pillars stand. 

When shall thy might in Israel's cause appear ? 

When shall thy conquering arm salvation bring ? 
When shall the Heathen of thy triumphs hear, 

Thy ransom'd people of thy glory sing ? 
Ah ! yet beneath the raven's dusky wing 

They grope for light, though now the noon is high. 
When shall thy conquering arm salvation bring ? 

Nor help appears, nor intercessor nigh, 
Till thou, O Lord, awake in mightiest majesty. 

Wilt thou not rend the curtains of thy throne, 

And bid the mountains at thy presence flow ? 
Wilt thou not hear the long-protracted groan, 
And to thy Church thy dreadful glory show ? 
Come, and the trembling earth shall fear ; 
Thy foes thy name revere ; 
Thy saints, adoring, bless 
Thy truth and righteousness. 
Come ! to thy Church thy glory show ! 
Come ! bid the mountains at thy presence flow ! 

Who is this, that, arm'd for fight, 

Assumes the warrior's crest, 
Braces quick the corslet bright 

Upon his ample breast ? 
Vengeance as a garment takes. 

Cloaks himself in flaming zeal. 
Earth beneath his footstep shakes, 

Her strong foundations reel ? 
As a lion roused for fight, 

He meets his crouching prey, 
Marches in majestic might. 

Along the crimson'd way. 



232 Messiah's kingdoMo 

Bright his furbish'd falchion gleams, 
Brandish'd by his strong right hand - 

Lo, 'tis bathed in sanguine streams, 
That deluge Edom's land. 

Who is this that bears the war 

O'er hosts of slaughter'd foes ? 
See ! his standard waves afar ; 

In vain their squadrons close - 
Gonquer'd by resistless might, 

Like autumn's spoils they lie ; 
Nerveless falls the arm in fight. 

The feet refuse to fly. 
Lo, he treads them in his ire ; 

Blood his dazzling raiment stains ^ 
Flows his wrath in liquid fire. 

Along the burning plains. 

Thou, ZioK, thou canst tell 
Who, thus invincible. 

Hath pledged for thee 
A glorious victory ! 
Lift up thine eyes, the Conqueror hai! ! 

Messiah on his march to save ! 
His might shall o'er thy foes prevail, 

Arouse thy myriads from the grave ^ 
He shall thine heritage regain, 

Collect thy long-dissever'd bands ; 
From Egypt's flood, from Shinar's plain, 

From borean climes, and southern landsj, 
To distant isles his trumpet's sound 
Shall bear the thundering summons round. 

Hark ! the sound of trampling steeds ? 

Hark ! the cry of martial men ! 
Shouts, as wave to wave succeeds, 

Mount, and fall, and mount again ! 
Who, with shield, and speai;, and lance? 

Glistening in the noontide beam, 
Toward the channell'd depths advance, 

Press into the sever'd stream ? 



BOOK VIII. 233 

Who, with purple banners biight^ 

From the coral path ascend ; 
Numerous as the stars of night, 

Toward the stream of Jordan bend ? 
Who, on Salem's sacred towers 

Plants the lion staff again ; 
Israel shouts, " The land is ours ' 

Now, adored Messiahj reign !" 

Yes ! for that victory- 
Shall such hosannas be 

As never yet from battle field arose ; 

Such as not Israel, o'er Egyptian foes, 
Raised on the desert strand, 

When minstrelsy its loftiest numbers chose , 
To hymn Jehovah's hand. 

When from that land. 
In nmltitudinous acclaim, shall rise 
This full- toned hallelujah to the skies? 

When Israel, wilderM long, sliall understand 

The prescient Spirit's counsel to the wise, 

_4nd to celestial truth unveil their long^closed eyes. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 
BOOK IX. 



The glory of the Messiah's kingdom ie the chief end of ihe dispensa- 
tions of Providence. The vicissitudes of kings and kingdoms, and 
all the stupendous events which shine in ancient annals, were chief- 
ly iniportant as they serv^ed to prepare the way, and spread the 
triumphs of Him who was " a light to lighten the Gentiles." For 
this God gave the learning of the world to Greece, and its empire 
to Rome. Both contributed to facilitate and extend the yictoiieg 
jcf the Gospel.— Z>r. Mason; JVew-Yurk, 



ARGUMENT. 

The extirpation of the Jewish polity followed by the down- 
fall of Paganism, on the conversion of the Roman em- 
perors to the faith of the Gospel. — Idolatry introduced 
into the woi'ld by the arch-enemy of mankind, to sub- 
vert the rule and the worship of Christ. — The reign of 
Satan thus maintained in the fallen spirit of man. — A prin- 
ciple of instability combined with false greatness. — Re- 
joicings of the Church, on account of her deliverance from 
the persecuting power of her enemies, celebrated in the 
symbolical language of the prophetic Scriptures, and in 
accordance with historic testimony. — ^Important benefits 
resulting from this change in outward circumstances, 
duly appreciated by those who have been the subjects of 
persecution. — Prosperity and enlargement of the Church. 
— Conversion of distant and barbarous nations, the re- 
sult of ardent missionary zeal. — Decay of that spirit in 
the Church one probable reason of the retarded triumphs 
of Christianity. — Ulphilas, apostle of the Goths. — His 
labours for the propagation of the Gospel. — Translation 
of the Scriptures into the Gothic language. — Reappear- 
ance of the same spirit in the present age. — A digression. 



;essiah's kingdom. 

BOOK IX. 



As Messiah hath doue to the antichristian powers of old, so shall he 
d® to all others, before or at his second advent. Home. 



Messiah conquers ! Salem's sacred heights 
Proud Rome has laid in ashes ! hurl'd her lights 
From heaven's calm sphere, beneath a frowning sky, 
In ray less gloom, extinguish'd orbs to lie ; 
Or, wandering wild, 'mid dim chaotic shade, 
Where danger dwells, and howling storms invade, 
To gleam, portentous, through the dreary waste. 
As lurid meteors by the whirlwind chased. 

Yes, from his holy hill the' eternal King 
Hath vex'd them in his ire 1 the tempest's wing 
Hath scatter'd, as stern Winter's borean blast 
Drives the sear'd spoils, from withering forests ca£t^ 
He hath despised the vain, the impious thought, 
The proud device to swift confusion brought ; 
He bears alike the sceptre and the rod ; 
Bow down, ye princes, tremble at his nod ! 
With prostrate awe accept his proiFer'd grace, 
Lest Vengeance rise, and spurn you from his face ; 
Lest, dash'd as vessels of his wrath aside, 
Ye perish in your loftiness of pride. 

Shall Israel drink, and shall not Edom taste 
The cup of bitterness ? Shall judgment waste 
The vineyard planted by Jehovah's hand, 
Yet peaceful leave the rank, uncultured land ? 
No ! other trophies wait the Victor's brow ; 
Proud Rome must stoop, the haughty Cesars bow, 
Infex*nal demons feel his vengeful ire. 
Their a.ltars perish, and their priests retire ; 



238 Messiah's kingdom. 

Their sumptuous shrines in crumbling dust daca^ 
Their sculptured forms be cast despised away, 
Nor costly gifts receive, nor Avorship vain. 
No ! hell's dark hosts, beneath Messiah's reign, 
Swift from aerial heights stern Judgment casts, 
As sulphurous meteors swept by whirlwind blasts. 

In earliest hour, with treacherous, glozing lies, 
Seductive arts, and specious subtleties, 
Strove that arch foe, by heaven disown'd, to gain 
Worship and rule on earth. His impious reign 
On human guilt, and ignorance, and pridfij 
The dire usurper rais'd ; and deep and wide 
Prepared the strong foundations of his throne. 
It tower'd aloft, and bright emblazon'd shone 
In all the gorgeous lure of earthly state ; 
The wondering world before hell's potentate 
Bow'd prostrate down, obsequious td his sway. 
And captive in the toils of Falsehood lay ;' 
God of a rebel race Apollyon reign'd. 
And temples, altarsj rites, his rule sustain'd. 

Years rolPd on years ; still leagued in dire I'evolt^ 
The nations own'd a deity whose bolt 
Shook in terrific wrath a fiery rod, 
Or waved a wand, which o'er them as they trod 
The verge of hell, a veiling mist distill'd, 
And those dim shades with specious phantoms fill'd ; 
Spectres, who held the lure of earthly joy, 
Wore Pleasure's rosy gailand to decoy ; 
Or, wreathed with ivy, from tiie clustering vine 
Press'd the bright goblet of nectareous wine ; 
Held to the thirsty lip the sparkling draughtj 
Exulting while deluded Folly quafF'd 
Fell poison, oozing from the serpent's fang, 
Then writhed, convulsive, in the mortal pang. 

'Twas bold and impious daring, even in hellj 
Though fierce in wrath, in pride insatiable, 
To climb Jehovah's throne ; yet men admired, 
And sang lOud plaudits as the fiend inspired ; 
Paid willing homage to the tyrant's shrine, 
And braved the wrath of Majesty Divine. 
Yes ; Genius wove her laui-el crown to grace 
The idol's darkling brow ; Art came to place 



BOOK IX. 239 

Her exquisite achievements at his feet ; 
And Beauty came, and scatter'd roses sweet ; 
Valour, with crested helm, and glittering sword, 
Advancing to fierce conflict, meek, implored 
Help from the fiend of blood ; and Victory gave 
To him the trophies of the conquer'd brave ; 
Courage sprang forth at his command ; and Fame 
Sent on her trumpet's loudest blast his name ; 
Ambition planted on each craggy height 
Which toil and danger yielded, in the sight 
Of wondering crowds, the idol's standard dire ; 
For him the recreant minstrel tuned his lyre. 
Soothing with dulcet sounds the' enamour'd throng, 
And drew in Folly's downward path along, 
And o'er their eyes a mantling veil dispread, 
And changed, with magic touch, the features dread 
Of hell's foul demon to the angel guise 
Of spirits nurtured in ambrosial skies ; 
Philosophy, with subtlest thoughts perplex'd, 
Upheld the idol throne ; and Reason, vex'd, 
And urged, and thwarted, let her lamp expire ; 
While devious Passion, unrestrain'd Desire, 
And hoodwink'd Ignorance his rule obey'd,j^ 
Unconscious, basking in the tyrant's shade. 

There is no basis for the throne of pride ! 
What, though it towers aloft, aiad scatters wide 
Its beams of garish glory ; still it stands, 
A crumbling mountain, on the sliding sands. 
So stood hell's dire dominion, when the blast 
Of the Eternal o'er its splendours pass'd ; 
When sudden darkness veil'd the idol's shrine. 
And stricken by a secret arm Divine, 
The dragon's throne, in shivering fragments laid, 
Messiah's wrath, Messiah's might display'd ; 
When, chased as chaff before the mountain wind, 
His breath dispersed the troublers of mankind, 
Remanded demons to the realms of night, 
And o'er the world diffused his ov/n supernal light. 

Messiah dealt the dread avenging blow, 
He laid the proud colossal fabric low, 
Rear'd by Satanic art. His cross on high 
With brightening glory fiU'd the ambient sky ; 

21* 



240 Messiah's kingdom. 

He gave its lustre to the Cesar's view^ 
And o'er his Church the eagle banner threw j 
Bade kings to her extend their fostering care^ 
And Rome a covert from the storm prepare. 

Then Hymns of praise enraptured seraphs sang, 
Then loud, reverberant hallelujahs rang 
Through heaven's star-studded vault ; then martyrs raised 
tJnwithering palms of victory, and praised 
Jehovah and the Lamb ; then, glorious stood, 
Emerged from Tribulation's stormy flood, 
Confessors, countless, round the sardine throne, 
And mystic powers, 'mid hp.aven's dominions known, 
Pre-eminent in might : then elders, bless'd, 
Exulting rose ; one voice, one song confess'd 
Messiah's name Divine ; sonorous fell 
The mighty anthem's undulating swell, 
Then rose, in hallow'd ecstasy of praise, 
To Him whose hand the' eternal sceptre sways ; 
Whose might had cast the dire accuser down, 
And crush'd the dragon with his anger's frown. 
Then, too, from earth went up the gladsome voice 
Of such as in the conqueror's spoils rejoice ; 
Then she whose lucid form transfused the rays 
Of heaven's eternal Sun, proclaim'd his praise ; 
With starry circlet crown'd, she walk'd in light ; 
Beneath her feet revolved the orb of night ; 
Messiah's arm had crush'd her mortal foe, 
Laid with sharp sword the writhing dragon low 5 
Her sorrowing travail with a wondrous birth 
Had strangely closed, and given the subject earth. 
With Rome's proud purple, to her hallow'd sway, 
And changed her suffering night to sweet and joyous day. 
Yes ! then transfix'd beneath the' Avenger's sword 
Lay fierce Leviathan, whose wrath had pour'd 
The blood of martyrs o'er earth's fertile plains, 
Dyed vales and mountains with its crimson stains. 
Then waved aloft the consecrated sign ; 
Then glad confessors hymn'd the Name Divine ; 
Then, in the ear of Heaven, one rushing voice, 
As multitudinous waters, cried, " Rejoice ! 
Rejoice ! for now Messiah's Church is free ! 
His holy arm hath gain'd the victory ! 



BOOK JXo 241 

Down from his tlu-o>ie, by heavenly puissance hurl'd, 

No more hell's dragon-rule affrights the world, 

Nor Rome's imperial sceptre dreadful gleams, 

Nor blood of mai'tyr'd saints in sanguine current streams," 

Is morning welcome to the wistful eye, 
Uplifted oft to midnight's ebon sky ? 
Falls vernal music grateful on the ear, 
From sylvan glades, where wintry tempests drear 
Have held their sullen reign ? Is healthful bloom 
Fair, on the cheek reviving from the tomb ? 
Is ^-est from toil to swarthy Labour sweet ? 
Does martial Glory his triumphant seat 
Ascend exulting, when the field is won ? 
Yes ! sweet is victory, sweet the cheerful sun, 
Sweet is the bloom of health, the sprightly voice 
Of vernal tribes, when sylvan glades rejoice ; 
And sweet is rest to toil. But he alone 
Whose quivering spirit, agonized, has known 
The pangs of parting life, the wrench from bliss, 
The wreck of nature's holiest charities. 
The pinnacle, where trembling faith, assail'd 
By fierce temptation, in that hour had fail'd 
But for celestial succours ; — he alone, 
To whom hell's arsenal of tortures shown. 
The Spirit of Apostasy the while 
Proffering earth's treasures with bewitching smile; — 
Yes ! he who, tested thus, in nerve, in soul, 
Hath felt his natural weakness, the control 
Of sympathies, less only than Divine: — 
He, he can, reverent, bless the Power benign 
That curb'd the tyrant rage of earth and hell ; 
That from the ravenous vulture's talons fell 
Rescued the trembling dove ; who, o'er the head 
Of her who bore his cross, his banner spread, 
Shelter'd his suffering Church beneath the wing 
Of fostering majesty, and deign'd to bring 
Even lofty Cesar-, o'er his throne of pride, 
To wave the standard of the Crucified. 

The sons of God rejoiced : Auspicious rose 
That lucid morning, from a night of woes; 
O'er cloudless skies reviving sunbeams spread ; 
Bright, on the Church their heavenly infliience shed ; 



242 Messiah's kingdom. 

And flow'd from her in holy radiance forth, 
To chase the darkness of the cheerless earth. 
No longer now, with stern and sullen swell, 
The night wind raged, or sweeping torrent fell, 
Or hail, loud rattling, smote the rising blade, 
Or Ughtnings, low the lofty cedars laid ; 
But sweet tranquillity, with halcyon plume, 
Fann'd the soft ether, dropping rich perfume, 
Healing, as Gilead's balsam, from her wing, 
And odoriferous as the flowers of spring. 

The blood of saints and prophets, though it stain 
Maternal earth, can never fall in vain : 
Like precious seed, to genial soil consign'd. 
Which sleeps beneath till suns and vernal wind 
Relax stern winter's grasp ; then, bright, appear 
The blade redundant, the luxuriant ear. 
Which, ripening in the smile of summer, yield 
Uncounted increase from the cultured field. 
So sprang from earth the' imperishable grain 
By persecution sown. The furrow'd plain 
Not richer its augmented harvest shows. 
Than from the crimson'd graves of martyrs rose 
A seed, to swell the Church's progeny. 
To spread Messiah's name, to bow the knee 
To Him whose presence in that fiery hour 
Had given the conquering faith, the lofty power 
To trample on the baits of sin, to scorn, 
Like Him, the scoff, the threat, the scourge, the thorn ; 
And, patient, while the long protracted death 
Still gave them up to agony, their breath 
In its last flutterings to devote to prayer ; 
Prayer even for those whose fell, whose murderous care 
Would sinking nature's energies sustain. 
To prove yet untried emphasis of pain. -■ . ' 

Ungerminant the precious Seed Divine 
Fell not to earth ; nor did heaven's lustre shine 
In vain, reflected on the saintly mind. 
From dimming dross of earthly cares refined, 
From Passion's turbid elements set free. 
And wash'd from stain of sin's impurity. 
No, not in vain the Saviour's form impress'd 
Its holy semblance on the Christian's breast ; 



BOOK IX. 243 

It beam'd in light, in charity, in love, 
In zeal, enkindled from the flames above^ 
In patience, firm, affliction's yoke to bear, 
In heaven-born sanctity, in pleading prayer. 
In scorn of earth, in sense of sacred things, 
In sweetest hope, upborne on starry wings 
Above the tumults of this whirling sphere. 
In faith, surmounting death, on judgment near 
Fixing the calm, intense, uplifted eye, 
In rapture antedating victory^ 
Exultant gazing on the promised crown. 
Intent to lay the curtain'd dwelling down, 
To seek its loftier element, and leave 
To worldlings all a shadowy world can gif e. 

So shone the Church, in virgin lustre bright^ 
Like Moses, from the beatific sight 
To Israel's camp return'd : Communion high, 
Admitted fellowship with Deity, 
On Sinai's height, or Zion's, glorious shed 
Unearthly lustre round the sainted head ; 
Yet all unveil'd die Gospel splendours shine 
In calm reflection from their Fount Divine ; 
Transform'd beneath the all-absorbing blaze, 
His saints imbibe his glory's streaming raySj 
In hallow'd light the Saviour's image show, 
And live like Him, and spread his praise below^ 

Deep, heartfelt, thankful, rose the holy hymn 
Of consentaneous praise : not seraphim 
With prompter pinions cleave the azure sky, 
When, earthward, on spontaneous ministry 
To Mercy's heirs they come ; not swifier move 
Bright angel powers, constrain'd by duteous love. 
Than saints, themselves redeem'd, with quickening zeal 
Flejv ardent forth, impell'd to seek the weal 
Of a dark world in death. With glorious power 
The' Eternal Spirit crown'd the favouring hour^ 
Pour'd copious forth his hallowing influence sweet ; 
And lo, as stars innumerous, at the feet 
Of empyrean Majesty, appear'd 
The Churches' kindling lights, sv\blime ensphered 
In southern, in septentrion skies they shone, 
From east to west, around the' eternal throne^, 



244 

Roll'd in beneficence and beauty, bright 
As planets radiant in the crown of night. 

Forth through mid heaven the seahng angel flew; 
No breezy wind o'er tranquil ether blew ; 
Jehovah's word repress'd the stormy sweep 
Of rushing tempests o'er the briny deep ; 
Forbade impetuous hurricanes to break 
Earth's quiet rest, her leafy forests shake, 
Or rouse her woodland tenants, till the sign 
Of mystic union with the Seed Divine, 
The covenant seal, at Heaven's command impress'd. 
The myriad trophies of the faith attest. 
Peace ruled the scene ; beneath her cheering ray 
The mild evangelist pursued his way ; 
Plough'd the rude ocean, trod the desert strand, 
Explored each barbarous and each polish'd land ; 
Inhaled Arabia's spicy gales, and sought 
Bold Ishmael's sons, by covenant mercy bought ; 
Through Egypt's arid plains, beside the stream 
Of stately Nilus, scorch'd by summer's beam, 
Uncool'd by fleecy clouds, intent he pass'd, 
O'er Ethiopia's barren soil to cast 
The precious seeds of life j to farthest Ind, 
To Persia's pearly shores, where, soft, reclined 
'Mid roseate bloom that drank the golden light, 
And balm'd the fragrant ether, on the bright, 
The glorious sun, in adoration gazed 
Wilder'd idolatry ; and, impious, raised 
His token to the skies ; for here the reign 
Of Satan linger'd yet, and o'er the slain 
On Truth's high altar, by infernal guile, 
He cast a bitter and malignant smile. 
Yet, forward to the fount baptismal press'd 
Full many a fervent, many a faithful breast. 
Elate to bear a martyr's glorious name, 
Like him, aspirants for immortal fame. 

Caucasian snows restrain'd not heavenly zeal ; 
Iberia'sf lofty mountains joy'd to feel 
Its sweet, its solvent power ; the vale, the plain. 
The sceptred monarch, and the sturdy swain, 
Welcomed the messenger of peace, whose light 
More beauteous shone than on the silvery height 
t A part of the country now named Georgia, 



BOOK IX, 245 

Of towering Ararat resplendent beams 

The broad, majestic sun ; and thousand streams 

Of tinted glory o'er its dazzling snows 

On rifted peaks in boundless radiance throws. 

Rude, hyperborean realms the truth received, 
From holy teachers who that truth believed ; 
Who told the bliss their own pure spirits felt, 
Whom sacred sympathy had taught to melt 
In pitying tenderness for souls bereft 
Of happiness, of hope. In deserts left 
As sheep unshepherded alone to stray 
'Mid devious pitfalls ; o'er the thorny way 
To wander, trackless, through impervious night, 
Nor friendly call to guide their course aright 5 
Nor rod, nor crook, amid the tangled gloom. 
To snatch the wanderer from impending doom. 

O had the Church that heavenly zeal retain'd, 
Had love's pure impulse in her bosom reign'd, 
Then would not earth its dreary wilds present. 
Then would not man in awful banishment 
Have still been found, from God, from heaven averse. 
In all the darkness of the withering curse ! 
The Gospel, like the sun's effulgent sphere, 
Had chased the dreary mists of sin and fear, 
And light, even now, had deck'd this smiling globe 
In Virtue's coi'onal and Beauty's robe. 

High on the lists of hallow'd fame, and bright 
Amid those orbs which bore the Church's light, 
Star of a darken'd hemisphere, appear'd 
Illustrious Ulphilas, who, glorious, cheer'd 
The gloomy regions of barbaric shade, 
And holy truth to Gothic tribes display'd, 
With nervous arm the Gospel standard bore, 
To untaught climes, where floods impetuous roar, 
And forests frown, and rugged mountains rise 
In towering grandeur to the darken'd skies. 
By love impell'd, and apostolic zeal, 
He mildly taught barbarian hearts to feel ; 
Won warlike rudeness to the sovereign sway 
Of conquering grace ; bade Scythian hordes obey 
The gentle rule of charity and peace. 
Receive the cross and bid stern conflict cease. 



246 Messiah's kingdom. 

Endovv'd with gifts of learning, genius, giacCj 
'Twas his a sphere of lofty light to trace ; 
Himself had drank the living streams that flow 
From truth's pure fount to desert lands below ; 
And, urged by Heaven, his ardent spirit sought 
To lead its waters through those realms of drought; 
To raise the stone that hid the crystal spring. 
The current from the rifted rock to bring ; 
Celestial truths to untaught minds reveal, 
And from the scroll of wisdom loose the seal. 

For this, with patient toil and plastic mindj 
He strove in forms of letter'd phrase to bind 
The stammerer's rude, unmodulated speech, 
And learned lore 'mid Nature's sons to teacli ; 
To barbarous tongues transferr'd the Truth Divine ; 
Bade Heaven's own light on sterile darkness shine ^ 
Gave Wisdom's oracles to guide the blind, 
To teach the lost eternal life to find ; 
With utterance clothed the Spirit's silent word : 
That Voice Divine, lo, listening nations beard, 
Hail'd the glad jubilee of mercy come, 
Obey'd the welcome call, and sought the wanderers' home- 
Hail, bright evangelist, immortal sage ! 
Yet lives thy spirit in this younuer age ! 
Even now, with patient love, with hallow'd aeal, 
Divine Philanthropy removes the seal 
From Wisdom's scroll sublime ; even now unfolds 
Those sacred mysteries which no eye beholds 
Save in the Beam Divine ; that living Word, 
Even now to distant barbarous climes transferred. 
Attests, 'mid tribes of rude and varied speech; 
That holy love's enkindled flame can reach 
From age to age, and vuiextinguish'd glow, 
While Sorrow sighs, or Misery mourns below, 
Or Ignorance her misty mantle spreads, 
Or baleful Vice his noxious poison sheds, 
Or guilty Crime with blood-stain'd step dellles. 
Or Error clouds the earth, or Falsehood foul beguiles. 

From varied climes Messiah's offspring came ; 
Earth's rudest dialects rehearsed his Name ; 
His Name, harmonious, graced her purest speech^, 
Eose from the sea-girt island's stormy beach ; 



BOOK IX. 247 

O'er wide-spread continents the trumpet's sound, 

Sonorous, pour'd its gladdening echoes round ; 

O'er mountain tops, sublime, from height to height 

It roll'd, auspicious, as the kindling light 

From orient sunbeams cast ; the lovely vale, 

The waving woodland, on the scented gale 

Welcom'd its holy melodies ; and loud 

Its strong vibrations rose amid the crowd 

Of congregated multitudes, whose ear, 

Stunn'd by rude dissonance, is slow to hear 

The music of the skies ; the glittering spire, 

The towering dome, that to the solar fire 

Flung back its golden splendours, sent the voice 

Of triumph forth, and bade the world rejoice; 

Earth raised her anthem to the' Eternal King, 

And angels tuned their lyres, with saints his praise to sing» 



THE SKY LARK, 

A DIGRESSION, 

SACRED TO A SEASON OF BEREAVEMENT AN» 

AFFLICTION. 

Sweet chorister I who fain on outstretch'd wing 
Wouldst mount to heaven to meet the fiery car 
Of day's proud regent, while the morning star 
Yet f ems the liquid sky, and every thing 
But thou in stillness sleeps ; 
Save where, 'mid cragged steeps, 
The moaning mountain blast winds lowly murmuring. 

I see the. leave Ihy grassy nest, and soar, 

And spread thy light wings on the buoyant breeze ; 
I hear thee, sweet as angel minstrelsies, 
On Morn's awakening ear thy raptures pour ; 
Dim twilight's dusky sea 
Thou cleavest as joyously, 
As gallant vessel glides toward the lon£>»wish'd-for shore, 

'22 



248 MESSIAH^S KINGDOM. 

Yet lingering mists obstruct the orient beairij 
The sighing breezes freshen to a gale, 
Against thy flight opposing winds prevail, 
And now thy fluttering, faltering pinions seem 
To quail beneath the blast 
1^ angry Eurus cast [stream. 

From his bleak realm of clouds, whence rushing torrents 

Descend, sweet child of harmony and spring, 
The ruthless tempest is too harsh for thee ; 
Soon heaven's pure ether shall from storms be free^ 
And thou, remounting on elastic wing, 
Attune thy warbling lay 
To the bright lord of day, 
As though an angel's lyre had taught thee how to sing. 

Would that the Muse, whom Sorrow's cheerless gale 
Hath forced to stoop from her aerial height,—- 
Would that like thee slie could resume her flight, 
And halcyon skies, and sunny mountains hail ! 
Expand the drooping wing. 
And soar like thee, and sing. 
And view the orient light alDOve the storm prevail ! 

But ah ! unlike the pearly drops of morn, 

Which glistering fall, nor leave a trace behind, 
When the bright rose-bud yields them to the wnid^ 
Are the dense damps from sorrow's meteors born • 
They cramp the ruflled wing. 
Which strives in vain to spring ; 
They dim the tearful eye, and leave the heart forlorn. 

Yet, as the sweet lark sees the shower subside, 
The Muse, perchance, may view the clouds dispart. 
Come, then, O come, let hope inspire thine heart, 
And whispering Patience bid thee firm abide ; 
For holy Faith is nigh, 
And heavenly Sympathy 
Shall in its downy wings the troubled spirit hide. 

Should this world's storms impede the onward course 
Of those who soar toward heaven's eternal hills ? 



BOOK IXi, ^^^ 

Where dews more soft than Hermon's height distils 
Fall ever, and the pure, perennial Source 
Of life's full stream is found. 
O, toward that hallow'd ground 
Urge, urge thy steadfast step, with new, with holier force ! 

Resume thy song : its sacred tones will cheer 
Thy lonely hours of solitude and grief; 
The' appointed span of human toil is brief; 
And thou, a steward, must, ere long, appear 
Before the Master's eye : 
That hour of scrutiny, 
That fearful, dread, decisive day is near. 

Was heaven thy theme? His kingdom whom the earth 
Shall soon her sole, her sovereign Lord confess ? 
Go, then ; though storms invade the wilderness, 
And sing of Him whose glorious goings forth. 
With still divergent light. 
Like morning's splendours bright. 
Shall chase the eastern clouds, and cheer the distant north, 

O that some angel, who, on deeds of love, 
Glides bright, though viewless, through the ambient air, 
Would on his wings thy drooping spirit bear 
Through that pure hyaline that beams above. 
And bid thee, calm, look dov/n. 
Though gathering tempests frown, 
And rolling clouds beneath through rifted valleys move. 

Where rest those ministering seraphs bright 
Who throng'd attendant on the parting breath 
Of friends, as life beloved ? Who watch'd till death, 
Stern minister of Heaven, had quench'd in night 
The spark of quivering life ; 
Then, from that painful strife 
Their kindred spirits bore to heaven's unwaning light. 

Would that returning to this darker sphere, 
On acts of grace, and embassies benign. 
Their golden harps, attuned to themes Divine, 

Might wake thy song, engage thy listening ear. 



250 Messiah's kingdom,, 

To learn their notes of praise, 
Their glad hosannas raise, 
To Him whose smile is joy, whose presence chases feaf- 

True, thou art in the desert waste, alone ; 
Yet Wisdom is the friend of Solitude. 
On many a wild and barren mountain rude 
The sunbeams with intensest light have shone ; 
And many a deep recess 
And cavern'd wilderness, 
Have felt the present Grod, to saints and prophets lcnown„ 

To thee, if meekly, humbly, on thy way 
To Canaan's rest with patient step th©u go, 
To thee shall Abraham's God his glory show. 
With Isaac shalt thou meditate and pi'ay, 
With sainted Moses stand, 
Behind His covering hand. 
Whose formless glory pass'd by Horeb's summits grey- 
To thee, when sinks the whirlwind storm to rest, 
The dove-like Spirit shall in whispers come, 
And silent enter on his peaceful home, 
The calm recesses of thy tranquil breast ; 
While, like Elijah, thou 
In veiled reverence bow. 
And learn Jehovah's will, in gentlest sounds express'd. 

Arouse thee, then ! Dejected Muse, awake ! 
Pursue thy course, in spite of storms or showers ; 
Thine is a theme might tempt an angel's powers ; 
Yet thou thy reed attuning for His sake 
Who gave that reed to thee, 
Though simplest melody 
Be all its tones command, He will thy offering take. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDO: 
BOOK X, 



During the period of the latter three times and a half, the astoniahed 
world was destined to behold the three wonderful spectacles, of a 
pagajiising apostasy from the pure religion of the Gospel ; of a da- 
ring imposture founded upon the Holy Scripture, yet claiming to 
supersede it ; and of a monstrous atheism, whieb eet the Majesty 
of heaven itself at defiance Faber. 



3'2* 



ARGUMENT. 

Variable phases of the Church during her period of pro- 
bation. — Fell, in the season of outward prosperity, into 
dimness and dechne, through the seductions of a vain 
and presumptuous philosophy, the fascinations of the 
world, and the rapid growth of superstition.— Imminent 
peril of earthly mindedness. — Unbroken alliance be- 
tween misery and sin. — All beings, in their various gra- 
dations, employed as ministers under Messiah's govern- 
ment for the execution of his purposes. — The course of 
Providence directed for the conservation of the Church. 
— Rome, victorious, proud, cruel.— Her imperial sway 
subverted by barbarian invaders.— Consequent miseries. 
—Retributive character of the Divine judgments. — Good 
educed from evil. — Reflections. — Rise and prevalence of 
the papacy. — Sufferings of the faithful. — Dark features 
of the Man of Sin.— Obscuration of the light of truth in 
the east. — Asiatic churches. — The Greek empire, — Rise 
of the locust plague from the bottomless pit. — Moham- 
med. — Victories of the Saracens. — Still more desolating 
devastations of the Othmans. — The light of Christianity 
extinguished in the east. — Prophetic annunciations of 
the final overthrow of every antichristian power. 



ESSIAH'S KINGDOM 
BOOK X. 



They shall be holpen with a little help ; but many shull cleave 
them with flatteries^ Daniel xi, 34, 



There is a glory of the sun, a light 
Essential, changeless: the pale orb of night 
Possesses, too, her splendour, when she glides 
Athwart the hemisphere of stars, or rides 
In pure and peerless majesty alone. 
As heaven's blue concave were her single throne. 
Yet sooH, too soon, that beauteous brightness fades, 
And envious earth with interposing shades 
Obstructs the radiance of her dazzling beams. 
No longer, soft, her silvery lustre streams 
O'er the still lake, or bathes the landscape bright 
Of fringing woodland in a sea of light. 

Inconstant thus the changeful Church appears : 
Awhile her light, in crescent glory, cheers 
Dim twilight's shade : then, o'er the ample sky 
She rolls, full orb'd, in lucid majesty, 
The' Eternal Sun in imaged brightness shows, 
And o'er a darkling world Kis lustre throws. 
Yet soon, from spheres beneath, what shadows rise. 
What meteors shroud, what mists obscure the skies ! 
Nocturnal gloom, with reascending sway. 
Returns, opaque, to quench her argent ray ; 
Sin, Error, Ignorance, averse from light, 
Who love delusion, and who haunt the night. 
Again, intrusive, on her hallow'd sphere 
Malignant rise, and veil in darkness drear. 



264 Messiah's kingdoMo 

Were Israel's recreant sons by heaven subdued. 
And chased as scatter'd sheep o'er deserts rude ? 
Did Gentile thrones, and Rome's empurpled state, 
Submissive bow to heaven's high Potentate? 
Were rude barbarians suppliant at His shrine ? 
Were demons silenced by the Voice Divine? 
Did Gospel light earth's cheerless haunts pervade ? 
O'er rebel hearts was mercy's sceptre sway'd ? 
Messiah's cross did classic tongues confess, 
And tongues unlearn'd its holy triumphs bless ? 
Was savage sternness awed to gentlest mood, 
And minds untaught by wisdom's lore subdued ? 
So sang the muse, delighted, as she traced 
The march of Mercy o'er earth's sterile waste. 
Yet whither, in receding flight, withdrew 
Those scenes of glory from the searcliing view ? 
What power malignant cast its baleful shade, 
And dimm'd the beams on that bright dawn display'd ? 
And changed the songs of jubilee to sighs, 
And film'd afresh the late relumined eyes ? 

Ah ! fatal snares of peace ! 'twas sloth and pride, 
That turn'd that glory's onward course aside, 
With hovering mists obscured the beauteous day, 
Deflected wisdom's pure and perfect ray 
In varied aberrations, wild and vain ; 
'Mid realms where doubt and devious error reign, 
Ensnared in wildering labyrinths, and there 
Perplex'd the truth, defaced its feature's fair ; 
In proud presumption sought those depths to sound 
Which angels fathom not ; where man is drown'd 
In deeper gulfs than Stygian chaos knows ; 
For who shall God to finite minds disclose ? 

Man, proud of reason, read thy lesson here I 
Pause, overweening Arrogance, and fear ! 
Who search presumptuous things by heaven conceai'd 
Shall lose perception of the things reveal'd: 
Who seek to measure Deity, and scan 
The Eternal Essence by the powers of man, 
Their fruitless toil shall veiling darkness shroud, 
Deep, palpable, as that bedimming cloud 
Which erst on Misraim's haughty rebels fell, 
Foul vehicle of hideous fiends from hell j 



BOOK X. 255 

Who love the chaos of the turbid mind^ 
And down to gulfs beneath decoy the blind. 

By vain Philosophy's false lights betray'd. 
Within the precincts of that fearful shade, 
The Churches' stars in dim eclipse appear'd, 
Or gleam'd as lurid meteor fires, ensphered 
In driving clouds, betokening tempests nigh ; 
The misty haloes of a burthen'd sky, 
Which pour'd ere long its whelming torrents forth, 
With noisome floods o'erflow'd the wasted earth ; 
In widening streams delusive Error roll'd, 
Seduced the flock, despoil'd the sacred fold, 
And sunk in dreadful gulfs of deepening wo 
Souls rescued once from death. 

Sad overthrow 
Of heavenly hopes, of glorious prospects, bright ! 
Immortal day exchanged for baleful night, 
The triumph of exulting angels void, 
The sheep for whom the Shepherd bled, destroy'd ? 

Did proud philosophy with specious charms 
Seduce the Church's children from her arms ? 
Not less the world, with flattering aspect, strove 
To win them back to its deceitful love ; 
To change its forms, its names, but still to keep 
The earthly, sensual, selfish heart asleep ; 
Or vigilant alone to lure of wealth, 
Of pomp, of pleasure. With deceptive stealth 
It rose, insinuant, to the holiest place, 
Usurp'd the mitred throne, assumed the grace 
Of sacerdotal sanctity, and dwelt 
In hearts of votaries, who, reverent, knelt 
In daily orison before His cross 
Who spurn'd its richest bribes, esteem'd as dross 
Its kingdoms and their glory ; turn'd aside 
From gorgeous pomp, and on the crown of Pride 
Look'd down with holy scorn. He loved the shade ; 
With poverty his sacred sojourn made, 
And taught in simplest guise his lore Divine, 
In spirit lowly, as in act benign. 

Such was the Master, such the servants, too, 
Till worldling Wealth his glittering baubles threw ; 
And earth-born Power, to tempt Ambition, show'd 
A tinted archj that in the sunbeam glow'd ; 



256 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

Till subtle Sophistry, with filmy line, 

Bound the bright wings of Truth ; and Love Divine, 

By Discord's wild and wasting fires repv^ss'd, 

Burn'd faint and fitful in the' enthusiast's breast, 

Who, in his damp and solitary cell, 

Hung Superstition's lamp, and loved to dwell 

Beneath its dismal, drear, and flickering ray, 

A gloomy outcast from celestial day. 

O sad reverse ! O dark and fatal hour ! 
Dread triumph of the world's delusive power ! 
Of hell's entangling thrall, its fraudful arts. 
To tempt from heaven and truth unwary hearts. 
And still the Church, bereaved, in anguish weeps 
Her shipwreck'd sons, who o'er these perilous deeps 
In fragile bai'k, unconscious, hope to glide, 
With swelling canvas, on the treacherous tide, 
Nor dream that swift its shining waters sweep, 
A roaring cataract down the dreadful steep. 

Soothed by a siren world to strange repose. 
No more the Church her conquering standard shows, 
No more empanoplied in holy might, 
She, stern, confronts the lingering hosts of night ; 
But soft at noon on silken couch reclines, 
Pavillion'd high, in gorgeous drapery shines, 
Surveys the suppliant crowd with lofty brow. 
Forgets her tears, forswears her sacred vow ; 
No more the cross in holy meekness bears. 
No more Messiah's shame or glory shares, 
Noi* soars aloft, nor claims her heavenly birth. 
But walks with men, and courts the toys of earth. 
Yes, Persecution's piercing blast had fail'd, 
But now the sunbeam o'er her strength prevail'd ; 
Beneath the brilliance of that dazzling sky, 
As morning mists, faith's holy visions fly ; 
And Truth, perverted, hides her angel mien, 
Apart from Pride, to walk in paths unseen. 

To Sin and Guilt in pristine union bound. 
Still groaning Misery in their footsteps found 
Sows the sad earth with tears ; Corruption heaves 
Life's social fabric from its base, and leaves 
Disorganized those hallow'd links that bind 
In kindred sympathies man's suffering kind. 



BOOK X. 257 

Dire Superstition leagues with baleful Night, 
Dank Error's wings shed mildew, blast, and blight j 
Pride soars to fall, yet, ominous, as it flies, 
Scares every gentler teraant of the skies ; 
And Heaven, vindictive, though long suffering, sheds 
Its wrathful vials on rebellious heads. 

Thus while, supine, no more the shepherds sought 
To guide the flock their Saviour's ransom bought ; 
Thus while the sheep, deluded, loved to stray, 
And unresisting throng'd the devious way ; 
While mask'd hypocrisy, and base desire, 
To Heaven's high altar brought unhallow'd fire ; 
While worldling worshippers renounced the cross, 
While Zion's purest gold, enearth'd in dross, 
No more the royal Stamp Divine display'd, 
Then lingering Justice grasp'd his threatening blade, 
Sever'd the sapless branches from the tree, 
Consign'd the stars to dark vacuity, 
Forth from their spheres in wrath indignant cast, [blast. 
And swept the clouded skies with Judgment's howling 

Messiah reigns ! His undisputed sway 
Obsequious heaven and pliant earth obey ; 
Alike from each his ministers he takes. 
And hell his scourge in righteous anger makes. 
He summons, and creation's powers attend ; 
The locust flies, angelic hosts descend ; 
O'er fruitful fields devouring insects creep ; 
Barbarian hordes the peaceful champaign sweep • 
All wait on him, his pleasure all fulfil ; 
He wakes the whirlwind, bids the storm be still ; 
Upheaves the mountains, casts the rough rocks down ; 
Makes morning darkness by his awful frown; 
Looks on the earth, and lo, dismay'd, it reels, 
Its central depth the mighty Presence feels. 
Retire, ye sinners, from his piercing eye, 
He passes in tremendous judgment by ! 
Let cragged rocks conceal you from his sight ! 
Ah ! vain is shelter ; and as vain is flight ! 

This world, and its vast kingdoms as they rise. 
Administer to him ; their destinies 
In judgment or in mercy he controls ; 
Through ocean depths, sublime, his chariot rolls, 



258 Messiah's kingdom. 

Or, bi'ight, on shining clouds he rides above, 

In anger terrible, or mild in love. 

Still on his Church is fix'd his steadfast eye ^ 

And earthly thrones at his command supply 

Their fostering aid her infant strength to raise, 

To clear her arduous path through desert vsrays ; 

For her the sceptre or the sword ihey wield, 

And lift the scourge, or spread the covering shield^ 

As He with grace her loyal fealty crowns, 

Or dark in anger on the vagrant frowns. 

For this, imperial Rome, thy laurels hung 
Bright on the Cesars' brow ! for this the tongue 
Of polish'd Greece in distant lands was heard, 
That Heaven's pure oracle, Jehovah's Word, 
Might penetrate the dark, envenom'd shade, 
Where Error, long in scaly volume laid. 
Had rear'd the baleful progeny of night : 
For this, with swelling sail and pennon bright, 
Industrious Commerce plough'd the briny wave, 
And gales from heaven the favouring impulse gave j 
Nor letter'd lore by him unheeded brought 
The gem of knowledge from the mine of thought : 
He bade its lustre for his glory shine, 
And banded learning in the cause Divine. 

With broad and buoyant wing her eagle flight 
Long mighty Rome sustain'd. The rough rocks height^ 
The cedar's loftiest branches, bore her nest ; 
And, strong, with sun-bright eye and sinewy breast. 
Amid the stars of heaven she soar'd sublime, 
Despoil'd with iron beak the forest's prime, 
Chased every plumed tenant of its shade, 
And every beast within dts covert laid ; 
Or bore on griping talons far away, 
To glut her unfledged brood, the trembling prey 
Of ravenous cruelty, in carnage nursed. 
And taught with blood to quench ks direful thirst. 
Huge mountains rose to check her flight in vain ; 
In vain beneath her roU'd the stormy main ; 
In vain the sunbeam cross'd her burning way. 
Still onward, darting through the fervid ray, 
Eager she flew, allured by scent of blood, 
To scale the mountain, or to stem the flood.' 



BOOK X. 259 

Fame track'd her flight, and victory broad unfurl'd 
Her blazon'd banners to the wondering world ; 
The world that loves ambition, carnage, strife ; 
That preys upon the charities of life; 
That gives its plaudits to the prosperous guile, 
Though Innocence and Virtue weep the while; 
Extols with trumpet voice the Conqueror's name. 
Though harvests wasted, villages in flame. 
And ciiies sack'd, and terror, and dismay, 
Have mark'd the desolating spoiler's way ; 
Though peace affrighted fled her halcyon nest. 
Scared by the plumage on his nodding crest ; 
Though widow'd hearts, and orphans' streaming eyes, 
Pour'd floods of sorrow o'er his victories. 

Nor was she less the favourite of the crowd 
Who prostrate at the shrine of Mamrajan bowM ; 
Who in her gather'd stores of golden wealth 
Saw not the hand of Rapine, nor of Stealth, 
That fileh'd or rent the glittering prize away, 
While Murder stretch'd his ruthless arm to slay. 
The sensual gloated on her sumptuous board. 
And atheist libertines, whose hearts adored 
The gods of earth, with ivy fillets bound, 
To Rome's proud genius mantling goblets crown'dj 
Pour'd rich libations of unmingled wine, 
Bade music soft, and poesy entwine 
Af garland for her brow, and at her feet 
Scatter'd fresh flowers and fuming incense sweet j 
While Beauty fair, with light Ionian tread, 
Gay pleasure's train, through mazy dances led, 
And Mirth and Revelry attuned the song. 
And drew with myrtle wand their dizzy steps along. 

With science, arts, and elegance adorn'd, 
The mean, the weak, her lofty spirit scorn'd ; 
Colossal strength in works sublime display'd 
The subject earth beneath her sceptre laid, 
In boasted wisdom proud, she sought to bind 
The mightier empire of immortal mind, 
To quench the bursting beam of Gospel liglit, 
Though long immersed in rude and cheerless night ,; 
Night, by her philosophic fires unchased, 
The drear, dim sadness of an unsunn'd waste. 



260 Messiah's kingdom. 

Yet stoic pride with cold indifference heard 
The mighty message of the Gospel word, 
Despised the hallow'd mysteries of the cross, 
Inflicted pain, and mockery, and loss 
On those who meekly bore the Saviour's name, 
Conform'd to him in glory and in shame. 
On them the skeptic's glance disdainful turti'd, 
And flames of wrath in vengeful bosoms burn'd. 
As the fierce lion, who, with bristled mane, 
Springs on the prey, so Persecution's ti'ain, 
Relentless, on its hallow'd victims sprang, 
And made fell pastime of the martyr's pang. ^ 

Bear witness ye, ye sainted, suffering band, - ' . 
Whose purple life-blood stain'd that ruthless land, 
As spectacles to men and angels made, 
In Rome's proud circus for her sport display'd ! 
O, witness ye, who in that dreadful ring 
Came forth to meet the famished tiger's spring, 
To raise the shield against the Tuscan boar, 
Or furious lion, chafed by scent of gore ! - . 

Ye, who within her proud arena brought, 
Your path to heaven through sanguine surges fought. 
While Rome's stern Genius calm your conflict view'd, 
And frantic joy inflamed her multitude ; 
Who at her feet reposed, with garlands crown'd, 
Impatient, till the trumpet's welcome sound. 
And clash of arms, proclaim'd the opening fight ; 
Then sped the well-poised spear with deadly might. 
Or tangling net, disposed with dexterous art, 
Gave its thrall'd captive to the trident dart ; 
Then sprang the loosen'd savage from his lair 5 
Then shouts of demon triumph rent the air ; 
Nor mist of pity dimm'd her tearless eye; 
Rome mark'd unmoved her groaning victim die ; 
Nor lingering spark of sympathy awoke. 
That nature's yearnings in her breast bespoke. 

On angel wings to glorious rest convey'd. 
Your hallow'd souls beneath the altar laid, 
Pour'd in the ear of Heaven their pleading cry> 
And Justice heard, yet patient Mercy, nigh, 
Restrain'd, with gentle hand, the' uplifted stroke^ 
jSTor yet the gUttering sword of vengeance woke, 



BOOK X. 261 

Till wide and far the herald's voice was heard, 
And listening thousands hail'd the living word ; 
Repentant, yielded to the call Divine, 
And warriors, ranged beneath the crimson sign, 
Embraced the cross, and nobly held till death, — ■ 
Their faith's pure ensign ; then, with parting breathy 
To dauntless hearts and holy hands consign'd, 
To wave on every height, and float in every wind. 

Long, long his flight the' avenging angel stay'd. 
Forbearing Love the stern behest delay'd ; 
Long rose the prayer of mediatorial grace, 
As fuming incense in the holiest place. 
It came at length, — the word of wrathful ire , 
That seraph flame unfurl'd his wings of fire ; 
Forth from the sacred shrine as lightning pass'dj 
And down to earth his burning censer cast. 
Soon darkling clouds eclipsed the cheerful sky, 
Hoarse tempests howl'd with loud and dissonant cry. 
While throes convulsive heaved the solid ground, 
And, sullen echoing through the gloom profound, 
Unearthly voices fiil'd the startled ear 
With wail portentous of destruction near. 
Then fell thy throne, proud mistress of the world J 
Then from its mountain height impetuous hurl'd, 
A wTeck, it floated on the ruthless tide 
Of fierce barbarian anarchy, whose wide 
And rushing waters, with tempestuous sweep, 
Bore diadem and sceptre to the deep, 
Roll'd dark and dreadful o'er thy proud domain, 
And left thee withering 'mid thy heaps of slain. 

From Borean climes, from distant, barbarous lands 
Heaven call'd its ministers : ferocious bands, 
As from rent clouds descends the rattling hail, 
Rush'd in wild tumult o'er the fruitful vale ; 
Reap'd the rich harvest, scathed the verdant plain, 
Bathed ruthless swords in blood of infants slain, 
Their virgin charge from weeping matrons tore, 
Defiled the crown of reverend age with gore, 
Crush'd the sweet flower just opening to the light, 
Hew'd the tall cedar from its stately height. 
Trampled the vine, whose purple clusters fair 
Gave their rich juices to the tiller's care ; 



262 Messiah's kingdom. 

Through crowded cities bore the flaming brand | 

Sti-uck down with iron mace and giant hand 

The trophied pile, the tower of strength, where Pride 

On blazon'd throne, with Genius by her side, 

Presumed herself immortal, and survey'd 

Time's sweeping sythe and hour-glass undismay'd. 

Then, fever'd with infuriate rage, drew nigh 
Fierce Scythian ravagers, whose demon cry 
Was, havock, slaughter, death! whose leaders fell, 
(As brands ignited by the fires of hell, 
Or meteors, bursting in portentous flighty 
V/ith dread explosion 'mid the gloom of night,) 
Shed blasting flames and sparks of teri'or rovmd ; 
Obscured the heavens, and sear'd the solid ground 5 
And cursed creation with their baleful breath, 
The dark-wing'd heralds of approaching Death, 

Then Misery felt the acme of her fate ; 
Then Horror reign'd, and earth, made desolate, 
Seem'd but the grave of man. Destruction there 
Brooded on darkness, carnage, and despair. 
'Mid deserts, cities once, the wretch, dismay'dj 
Stalk'd with wild Famine, and the direful shade 
Of livid Pestilence, whose maniac cry 
Pour'd its last wail in hopeless agony. 

Then, from his rural cot, the village hind. 
Chased by the murderer, desperate, saw consign'd 
His native vale to pillage, rapine, flame ; 
The graves that held his sires, — unknown to fame. 
Yet sacred to affection, — wrong'd and spoil'd ; 
The plain, the woodland, whei-e his youth had toil'd, 
Waste as the mountain wild ; the playful throng 
That cheer'd his evenings^ with the buoyant song 
Of youthful merriment, or, eager, press'd 
To share the fondness of a father's breast ; 
These, with tke smiling mate; whose gentle love 
Made home his halcyon nest, — even as the dove 
Which eyes the pouncing vulture, he had seen 
Poised on the harpies' fangs : Love could not screen 
Nor Courage shield them from their hapless fate : 
His eye is dim, his heart is desolate, 
The wild wind wanders through the leafless grove, 
Within whose shelter stood his home of love. 



BOOK Xo 263 

War, deepest, direst thunder in the host 
Of Heaven's artillery, when, angerM most 
It opens its dread batteries on the world I 
How were thy burning bolts in vengeance hurl'd 
Against that recreant majesty, whose throne, 
Raised o'er the subject earth, had ruled alone 
The nations and their gods I whose iron sway 
Thy scourge upheld, and track'd her crimson way 
With toils, and tears, and blood ! Though reckless Fame 
Conjoin'd with glory Rome's immortal nagae, 
Yet He who reigns supreme, who, though he hide 
His anger in long suffering, scoffs at pride,— 
He grasp'd at length the balance and the sword, 
He weigh'd the guilt, the righteous judgment pour'd. 
Retributive, the cup of fury press'd, 
And sheath'd his falchion in the murderer's breast ; 
Back with unmeasured vengeance drove the blast. 
By proud ambition on the strengthless cast, 
And scathed with lightning fires the towering head 
That on the desolate destruction shed. 

O depth of Deity, whose sovereign will 
Permits, yet counterworks, encroaching ill, 
Defeats the counsels of infernal art. 
And bids the scourge of judgment yield its part 
To mercy's scheme benign ! whose searching eye 
Discerns the deep, the distant, and the high, 
And to his own mysterious purpose brings 
The turbulence of sublunary tilings. 
Man, proud, presumptuous, and malignant, dares 
Omnipotence to wrath ; yet goodness spares, 
And evcH when lingering indignation wakes 
The searching chastisement of gi'ace partakes; 
Incensed, yet pitying,~^tender, though severe, 
Controlling chaos, causing light to cheer 
The tempest clouds that gather round his feet, 
Even when to anger stirr'd He comes to meet 
The rebel sons of pride: earth owns his sway^ 
August, mild, venerable : Heaven's pure day 
No cloud of judgment darkens : hell below 
Is seal'd to irremediable wo. 

Yes, blended grace and justice ruled the hour 
Of Rome's descending star ! A mightier power 
2S* 



264 Messiah's kingdom. 

Than nature wields impell'd the dreadful course 

Of that impetuous flood, whose furious force 

Urged the strong sea against her crimson throne j 

'Twas Wisdom, working deep in mines unknown 

To perfect Mercy's plan. The vehement blast . ' 

That Rome's proud eagle from its eyry cast, 

And rent the rock within whose storied heights 

It lodged the raven of a thousand flights. 

And heaved the earth, and roll'd the stormy main, 

In frightful deluge o'er the fertile plain ; 

That fierce tornado, in its furious sway, 

Bore ancient error's mouldering femes away ; 

Wrench'd from its pagan soil the rugged roots 

Of dark Idolatry, whose lurid shoots 

Yet choak'd the healthful blade ; with dragon wing 

Assail'd each vain, each venerable thing, 

Swept truth, and falsehood, power, and pomp, and pride^ 

And science, and philosophy aside. 

Rude chaos reign'd ! Yet, lo, that potent word 
Which nature in primeval darkness heard, 
Commanded, and Confusion's dreary bed 
Prepared an embryo seed, erewhile to spread 
In energy of intellect and grace ; 
Yet buried long within that secret place 
Amid ungenial elements it lay, 
Nor sprang to light, nor drank the healthful day. 
But gracious heaven its own deposit kept. 
The faithful Sower slumber'd not, nor slept ; 
With vital warmth, 'mid wintry frosts sustain'dj 
On sterile earth the gentle moisture rain'd, 
And bade his clierish'd plant expand at length, 
Serene in beauty, and sublime in strength. 

Thine enemies shall perish, they shall fall 
Beneath thine hand, Eternal Lord of all! 
Thy King upon his holy throne shall reign, 
Messiah shall thy righteous rule sustain ; 
As orient clouds before the sunbeam fly. 
As stubble from the rushing whirlwind nigh. 
So shall thy foes before thy presence flee. 
And all creation, prostrate, worship thee ! 

Thy thunders roll'd, and Babylonia's towers 
In ruin lay • her blasted groves and bowers 



BOOK X. 265 

The tiger's lair, the serpent's haunt, became ; 
On Misraim's fertile plains, with scathing flame. 
Thy lightning's kindled ; Desolation there 
Stalks wild and fearless ; Judah's mountains, fair^ 
Impart no moisture to that wither'd vine. 
Implanted once, then, by thy Hand Divine, 
Uprooted and despoil'd ; thy vengeance hurPd 
From her proud throne the mistress of the world ; 
Beneath thy frown, beneath thy wrath, she fell. 
O who is strong against the Terrible ! 
What breastplate, what invulnerable shield, 
Can stay the sword thine arm prepares to wield ? 

Earth on her burden'd breast in silence bears 
Memento of her curse ; Destruction spares 
The dim, lone tower, the mouldering marble, gray, 
That sympathy, not unimpress'd, may stray 
Amid the wrecks of time ; where Genius rose, 
Where proud Ambition spurn'd inglorious foes, 
Where gorgeous Greatness cla.sp'd his glistering robe, 
Stretch'd his bright sceptre o'er the circling globe^ 
And awed the prostrate nations by ■his nod ; 
Where lofty Pride the spacious palace trod) 
Survcy'd the towering fane, tl'ie cedar'd dome ; 
Then, stricken, fell^ an outcast wretch, to roam 
Wild with the grazing herd. O not in vain 
Shall Nimrod's relics strew the lonely plain ; 
Nor Egypt's stately mausoleums spread 
Their cavern'd grandeur o'er the mighty dead ;. 
Nor Rome's dilapidated temples stand, 
Sear'd with stern lightnings by Jehovah's hand ; 
if frail mortal! tyj instructed, owu 
That only God is great, that He alone 
Supreme in undiminisli'd glory reigns, 
His word heaven's starry canopy sustains, 
And crov/ns and thrones in shatter'd fragments lie 
Beneath the glance of his indignant eye. 

Her pristine form uncha.nging Nature bears, 
Yet Heaven and Time, the flood, the mountain, spares. 
Man's mightiest works in mouldering ruin lie, 
Still smiles the vei'dant plain, the azure sky, ■-- 

Still the rich landscape in luxuriance spreads, 
And rusrged rocks still raise their towerins; heads* 



266 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM^ 

Short is the span to human toils assign'd, 
And frail the monuments man leaves behind I 
On Nature Heaven a longer date bestows : 
God, only God, eternal being knows. 

Imperial Rome ! beneath thy mountains gray, 
Beside thy far-famed flood shall wisdom stray, 
And, pensive, backward tread the course of time j 
With thy stern Genius converse hold, sublime, 
On transitory things ; on power, and pride, 
And wealth, and fame, to virtue unallied ; 
On Science, self complacent, soaring high, 
On slenderest filaments of vanity, 
On Wisdom, proud to spurn the cross, and stand 
Its own defence against Jehovah's hand. 

Yes, while bleak night winds through thy ruins sweepj 
And foxes from deserted turrets peep ; 
While clasping ivies to thy temples cling, 
And silence reigns within that wondrous ring 
Where thousand voices once with stormy swell. 
As ocean's vaulting billows, rose and fell; 
Where human monsters turn'd the glaring eye 
To mark the mangled gladiator die, 
To watch the martyr while the reeking fang 
Of the gaunt lion urged the mortal pang : 
Here, while the column fallen, the fane decayed, 
The trophied arch in lonely ruin laid, 
Attest thee once, in lofty splendour great, 
Attest thee now, bereaved and desolate ; 
Attest that glory, pinnacled on high, 
tJnbased by virtue, soon in dust shall lie : 
Here not in vain, in solemn musings found, 
Shall calm Reflection tread thy classic ground ; 
But, circled by thy bright cerulean sky, 
When morning blushes, or the moon is high, 
Or, soft, when eve in sober twilight fades, 
Steal silent through thy venerable shades, 
And talk with visions of departed things ; 
While heroes, tribunes, senators, and kings, 
Pass, in still pageant, dim, and frowning by ; 
Ho sunbeam lights the orb of majesty, 
No patriot voices greet a senate's ear. 
No trumpet heralds War's stern conflict near ; 



BOOK X, 



567 



Each spectral Form the mountain meteor shrouds ; 
Pale, t|uivering lightnings gild the distant clouds ; 
As sad each single spirit hastes to meet 
The awful splendours of the Judgment-seat. 

Here, 'mid the wrecks of genius, glory, time, 
Shall Contemplation soar, in thought suiolime, 
And learn that valour, conquest, pleasure, power, 
Are passing pageants of a short-lived hour ; 
That majesty, to virtue unallied. 
Is but the full- blown emptiness of pride, 
A bubble now, in sunny radiance bright. 
Then by that beam exhaled which gave its transient light- 
Yon heavens, how bright, how high ! With earnest gaze 
Their broad expanse the wandering eye surveys. 
Asks the blue depths that spread, and roll and glow, 
To what unknown, what distant regions flow 
Their waves of sapphire light. Where dwells the bound 
That zones that ocean? In what vast profound 
Of gloom or glory hangs the central scale 
That balances creation ? What the veil 
That hides those radiant hierarchies beyond ? 
In vain : no seraph symphonies respond ; 
No eye in eager gaze, nor ear attent. 
Can pierce the foldings of that firmament. 

"Canst thou by searching find out God ?" His throne 
The heaven of heavens conceals. He walks alone ; 
All inaccessible to thee where light 
Circles his footsteps, or the veil of night 
Falls in deep draperies round his awful path. 
Canst thou unfold his purpose? to his wrath 
Give utterance in stern thunders, or declare 
How vast, how high, his thoughts of blessing are ? 
Vain mortal! Seek him not within the shade 
Impervious to thy twilight vision made ; 
But here, in this thy dawn of being, learn, 
In lowliness of wisdom, to discern 
The beam sent down to thee, the living ray 
Prepared to guide thee on thy heavenly way ; 
Then from a purer, brightei-, happier sphere, 
Shalt thou look down on depths unfathom'd here, 
And view the' Eternal, in his rule sublime, 
Upholding nature, and controlling time ; 



268 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

In number, weight, and measure, ordering still 
His works of wisdom by his sovereign will ; [cend, 

Through depths, o'er heights, which angel powers trans- 
Conducting all to one harmonious end, 
Where every string, combined in concert sweet, 
In one hosanna to Hi's Name shall meet. 

He slumber'd not, even in that midnight hour 
When hell's dread tyrant, with insidious power. 
Resumed o'er earth's benighted sons his sway, 
And with delusive shades obscured the day 
That rose erewhile on man. His v/alchful eye. 
Observant, mark'd the dire apostasy 
By sin and error on his Church entail'd ; 
He saw, when Truth grew dim, when Judgment faiPd, 
When Pride, o'erweening, left the Word Divine, 
And raised her censer to a mortal's shrine. 
When pall'd, and veil'd, athwart the wilder'd way, 
Pale Superstition held her cresset ray, 
Whose glimmering beam, an ignis fatuus wild, 
The way-worn pilgrim from his path beguiled 5 
He saw, and in permissive judgment lent 
The drear, dim hour, to vengeful punishment ; 
Left unrestrain'd the proud and wayward v/ill 
That sought delusion, to the choice of ill ; 
The ill it chose, his scourge in anger made. 
And judgment in the garb of guilt array'd. 

Dense hung the shades of that nocturnal gloom ; 
Truth's smother'd torch, as in the vaulted tomb 
Burns the dim taper, shed its sickly rays, 
'Mid chilling damps, and light-absorbing haze ; 
When sunk in western waves, amid the roar 
Of angry billows, to emerge no more, 
Proud Pi-ome's imperial sun. On that dark sea 
Strove Vice, and Ignorance, and Vanity, 
Till fearful on its turbid foam was seen 
A wondrous form, whose strange and dreadful mien, 
Diverse from earth's creations, fierce and fell. 
With roarings wild, and tramplings terrible, 
Dismay'd the world ; yet, as the charmer's art 
Despoils the dragon of his fiery dart, 
Even so the docile monster bore subdued 
A sorceress dire, in fair similitude 



BOOK X. 269 

Of female grace i with meretricious pride, 
Array'd in vest by Tyrian merchants dyed, 
Her crimson'd hands a charmed chalice bore, 
Soft pearls and sparkling diadems she wore, 
Light, treacherous smiles her specious lips display'd, 
Her soothing speech unwary hearts betray'd, 
Unhallow'd fires shot wildly from her eye, 
Her forehead bore her title, " Mystery !" 

With wondering eyes admiring princes view'd, 
Kneel'd at her feet, by guileful arts subdued, 
Her mantling cup of deadly wine received, 
With willing hearts her specious words believed^ 
In one dark hour their prostrate souls consign'd 
To hell's dread emissary, bow'd the mind, 
With all its faculties, beneath her sway. 
And bade the world her siren rule obey. 
Soon O'er that world her witcheries prevail'd, 
The eager crowd with false hosannas hail'd, 
Unhallow'd incense on her altars burn'd, 
Awd Truth's pure shrine with treacherous ligh tness spurn'd, 

Then, sad, in silence mourn'd the faithful few, 
Amid the faithless to their fealty true ; 
True, though their faith affliction's furnace tried, 
Though Slander foul their spotless fame belied, 
Though Persecution's iron chain compress'd, 
Though Slaughter wrapp'd them in his sanguine vest. 
The sorceress and her venom'd draught they spurn'd, 
From all her blandishments indignant turn'd. 
And chose the searching fire, the biting steel, 
All that the heart can bear, the flesh can feel, 
Ere by her false and fatal craft betray'd, 
To sink, her victims, to infernal shade. 

Rome ! nursed in blood, upon whose infant tongue 
The war cry and the shout of conquest hung ! 
Rome ! train'd in hardihood of youth to arms, 
Whose deadly pastime was the wild alarms 
Of the swift-flying foe, the mortal groan 
Of vanquished myriads, by thy might o'erthrown ! 
Rome ! in thy pride of manhood, cruel, dread, 
Beneath whose gleaming axe the sainted head 
Bow'd down submissive ! Thou whose sullen joy 
Was kindled by the puissance to destroy I 



270 Messiah's kingdobi. 

Rome ! in thy hoavy age the fated prey 

Of murderous rapine! No ! thy sanguine way 

Was never tracked so deep with gory stains, 

Nor on thy head so dire a curse remains, 

For deeds of ancient darkness, as for blood 

Pour'd from thy Papal throne; a swelling flood. 

O'er the wide world its wasting deluge swept, 

While tears of bitterest grief the Church in anguish wept. 

Historic Muse, who mark'st, with pensive mien, 
The passing pageants of life's varied scene, 
What tears bedew thy cheeks ! What blushes rise, 
While thy dark page records the miseries 
By man imposed on man ! Yet, canst thou trace 
No line of gviilt, of terror, of disgrace, . '.■ >■ ■ ; ■ ;,, 
That with so dire, indehble a stain, V : ■ - , - 

Blots thy foul tablet, as the dreadful reign 
Of God's usurping foe : when worldling pride • 
Wore Superstition's mask, and lured aside 
From truth and reason to her lawless sway, 
Poor, purblind souls, degraded to obey ; • 

When impious Blasphemy, all undismay'd, 
Discarding shame, refused not to invade 
Heaven's high prerogative, but claim'd the grace 
To cancel sin, its moral stain eiface. 
To barter godliness for Mammon's hire, 
Commute for crime, and from infernal fire 
To ransom for a bribe ; when curb'd and rein*d, 
By harsh Oppression's galling scourge restrain'dj 
Conscience, that monitor of Heaven within, 
Sunk the dark captive of the Man of Sin : 
To whom Corruption, with deceitful tongue, 
Paid flattering court, and on his shoulder hung 
The keys, to David's Heir consigned alone ; 
While proud Presumption to Messiah's throne 
Upraised an erring mortal, who, as God, 
With impious daring in His temple trod. 

No finite power that sacred throne may fill, 
Unerring wisdom waits on sovereign will, 
Eternal Love almighty strength sustains, 
And mei'cy triumphs, e'en while justice reigns. 
Such is the rule of Heaven ; but he whose prids 
Usurp'd a power to all but Heaven denied, 



BOOK X. 271 

By means diverse his lawless might sustain'cl ; 
Stern, crafty, cruel, not in grace he reign'd ; 
But Ignorance, Oppression, Treachery, Guile, 
Hypocrisy, with well-dissembled smile, 
Terror, and Death, with venom'd shaft, and bow 
Strung fcr the flight, around him stood, or low, 
Sunk at his feet, his ministers of ill, 
Obsequious vassals of his tyrant will. 
So reigns the scourge o'er slaves to bondage sold, 
So reigns the wolf o'er the defenceless fold, 
So reigns the gloating serpent o'er his prey, 
Whose treacherous glances fascinate to slay. 

Mourn, saints and prophets, o'er the Church defiled ! 
Mourn for apostate souls by sin beguiled ! 
For suffering Faith, by sternest tortures tried, 
For love extinguish'd, and for truth denied ; 
For hell's successful wiles, its triumphs dread, 
O'er spirits fallen, o'er blood of martyrs shed 
In crimson streams at Superstition's shrine ; 
For Heaven dishonour d, God in vi^rath Divine 
Far from his faithless heritage removed, 
To darkness leaving those who darkness loved. 

While thus o'er western skies oblivious Night 
Drew her dim yeil, and from the searching sight 
Conceal'd the lucid orb of Truth Divine, 
Nor gave one glimmering planet leave to shine j 
While from the stei-ile glebe no harvests sprung. 
Nor vernal bloom on sapless branches hung, 
But winter, dreary winter, cheerless, cold, 
Held his bleak reign o'er Europe's desert fold ; 
While pining flocks, unpastor'd and unfed, 
Their straggling course o'er swampy mountains led, 
While hireling shepherds sought the fleece alone, 
While Virtue fail'd, and Wisdom walk'd unknown, 
While thus chastised, the sea-girt islands droop'd^^ 
And Japhet's sons to papal bondage stoop'd, — 
Where fled the lustre of those orient skies 
Which caught the Day-Star's splendours at its rise, 
And haiPd the quickening beam ? 'Tis quench'd in night ; 
Those heavens are black, as when the orb of light, 
In dim eclipse by envious shadows laid, 
Leaves Nature desolate and man dismay'd. 

24 



272 Messiah's kingdom. 

In Patmos' lonely isle a voice was heard : 
Did heedful ears receive that burning word ? 
From Him in awful majesty it came, 
Who bears unsheath'd the sword of living flame; 
Whose searching eye with radiant brightness glows. 
Reads the deep thought, Ihe inmost purpose knows ; 
Whose snow-white robes their dazzling lustre shed, 
While rainbow glories crown his sacred head j 
Whose feet like brass in fiery fusion glow : 
As sunbeams from their blazing centre flow. 
So from his face, insuft'erably bright, 
Pour vital streams of undecaying light. 
That voice was His ! sublime as ocean's sweep, 
When his proud billows from the boundless deep 
Burst on the cavern'd shore : 'Twas His whose eye 
With watchful care, with searching scrutiny, 
Pervades the Churches, every lamp surveys, 
Marks the dim light that foul in stench decays; 
Whose strong right hand, the angel Stars sustains. 
Who, First and Last, the King in Zion reigns. 

That voice was His ! Did listening Asia hear 
The kind rebuke, arouse to needful fear, 
Her glimmering lights with sacred oil restore. 
Her earliest love, her pristine zeal, implore ? 
Purge from her vine its sapless branches wild. 
Its seeds of error, and its fruit defiled ? 
Repentant mark that warning cry, "Beware!" 
And sue for grace while Judgment deign'd to spare ? 
No ! even from Heaven in vain that charge was heai'd, 
In vain denounced the stern, reproving word ; 
Nor promised ci-owns, nor threaten'd dangers rouse 
To zeal renewed, to grief for plighted vows 
Neglected or profaned : in dim decay, 
Offensive, passed those glorious lights away. 
Nor golden lamps, nor sparkling stars remain, 
But, dark and cheerless, o'er the desert plain, 
His gloomy path the traveller, lone, pursues, 
Nor beam of morn, nor midnight splendour views. 

Awhile in eastern climes the hovering shade 
Of Rome's departed glory wistful stay'd. 
And sought by draperies of gorgeous pride 
Her wither'd form and strengthless limbs to hide. 



BOOK X. 



273 



The sceptre trembled in her nerveless hands, 

Her eagle soar'd not o'er subjected lands, 

Nor armies, ranged behind her ful'-orb'd shield, 

Victorious swept the long-contested field. 

No ! feeble, changeful, treacherous, false, her rule,— 

Guilt was her pander. Vanity her tool ; 

Hypocrisy belied Religion's name. 

And impious Murder mark'd the road to fame ; 

Her fertile fields barbarian spoilers press'd, 

Insulting aliens to her unmail'd breast 

Pointed the glittering spear, and claim'd the price 

Of ransom'd life in costly sacrifice. 

Spurn'd and provoked, with scintillating light, 

Fitful she shone ; then to oblivious night 

Consign'd-the halo of imperial power. 

The fleeting, fading meteor of an hour. 

While struggling Life with stern Destruction strove, 
Earth groan'd in anguish, frowning Heaven above 
Look'd down, indignant, on a wayward race, 
Unawed by judgment, unsubdued by grace ; 
Whose wandering feet in Error's labyrinth stray'd. 
Celestial Truth in Falsehood's garb array'd. 
Obscured the glory of the Eternal shrine. 
Rejected Mediatorial Grace Divine, 
And, blindly vain, their phghted vows address'd 
To sculptured forms, and shades of martyrs bless'd, 
Their prayers and sighs to strengthless mortals pour'd, 
And needful grace from angel powers implored ; 
To mouldering relics bow'd the abject knee, 
From demons sought their soul's prospei-ity, 
Jehovah's house with idol rites defiled, 
And fell from heavenly grace by Satan's spells beguiled. 

While thus the fiend his pagan throne resumed. 
While darkling fires the fallen Church consumed, 
While Superstition with exorcist arts 
Enthrall'd unwary, selfish, worldly hearts, 
While Sophistry her toils successful wove, 
Where Pride and Folly each entangled strove ; 
The desert's rude recess while hermits trod. 
And sought apart from man the peace of God, 
While Piety from social scenes withdrew. 
Nor saints the sympathies of nature knew, 



274 Messiah's kingdom. 

A sudden cry the slumbering Churches wokeji 
A blast from judgment's pealing clarion broke, 
A voice of wo that struck the startled ear, 
Dread presage of the dire destroyer near. 

Dark frown'd the heavens in ebon stole array'd, 
A lurid Star athwart the dreary shade 
Shot baleful down. Beneath his wings of flame, 
A dry sear'd waste the verdant earth became ; 
Illustrious once, an orb of holy light, 
He shone resplendent amid seraphs bright ; 
Apostate now, with fell, malignant sweep, 
He sought the gloomy confines of the deep, 
Commissioned rriinister of vengeance, flew, 
And from Tartarean gulfs their bars withdrew ; 
When, lo ! on upper air, impetuous, broke 
Infei'nal clouds of dim sulphureous smoke ; 
Darken'd the sun, defiled the cheerful light, 
And cover'd nature with the veil of night. 
Meet vehicle of evil, dense and dread, 
In hell's abyss interminable bred, 
Dark on that pestilentifil volume rose 
Unnumber'd myriads of impervious foes ; 
In legion bands beneath his fiery wing. 
The marshalPd cohorts of the locust king, 
They sail'd and soar'd in phalanx firm and strong, 
Unbroken bore their wasting ranks along ; 
Fierce as the battle storm their sounding wings, 
Pain lodged its venom in their scorpion stings, 
Drear Desolation track'd their baneful flight, 
Sad nature droop'd beneath the withering blight, 
And broad and terrible o'er ether spread, 
They lour'd as tempest clouds around the traveller's head. 

Yet not uncheck'd the storms of judgment rise, 
Nor locust army undirected flies ; 
Nor plague from hell's abyss unheeded breaks^ 
Nor sleeping whirlwind from its rest awakes; 
Till God the ministers of wrath release. 
And from the world in anger takes his peace : 
Then, stern, though from the dark septentrion cloud, 
Bursts the bleak hail storm, rattling hoarse and loud j 
Though thunders roll, and floods impetuous sweep 
The pine-clad mountam to the roaring deep* 



BOOK X. 275 

Thottgh Error from infernal caves ascend, 
Though earth to hell its dark dominion lend, 
Yet, ere fulfill'd the sealing seraph's charge. 
Nor lightning shaft, nor locust-wing, at large 
Skims the blue ether, strikes the forest's pride. 
Or blasts the violet on the mountain's side, 
Till shelter'd safe beneath Jehovah's hand 
From earth and hell, his faithful servants stand. 

Mohammed ! thy foul spirits from the smoke 
Of hell's abyss not unjoermitted broke, 
Nor unrestrain'd their devastating power, 
Till Mercy ruling even in Judgment's hour, 
Messiah's unattainted subjects seal'd : 
No, not the slenderest blade that clothed the field, 
Nor lowliest plant, nor tree that tower'd to heaven^ 
To their voracious, baneful tooth was given, 
Save only those o'er whom the cankering blast 
Of demon breath, in fumes corrosive cast, 
Had sti'uck with noxious taint their verdure bright ; 
Whose fruitless branches scathed with deadly blight, 
Envenom'd juices from their leaves distill'd. 
And purer regions with dank poisons fill'd. 

Scourge of a fallen world, a Church defiled, 
Of hearts from righteousness by Fraud beguiled, 
Thy sword of desolation was the blade 
Of anger'd Justice, bright for vengeance made ; 
And thy impure prophetic code the lie 
Of those who loved delusion, vv/hose closed eye, 
Averted, left the beams of holy light 
To dwell on phantoms that infest the night ; 
From whom offended Heaven in judgment turn'd, 
The recreants in indignant fury spurn'd. 
Left to thy dark imposture, to thy sword. 
Which wide and deep its dread oblation pour'd 
To hellish craft, and cruelty, and pride : 
Earth heaved and groan'd beneath the' ensanguined tide, 
Yet onward on that bitter, turbid stream 
Bore the foul phantoms of Lliy frenzied dream, 
Till bright with blood her cruTison'd fountains ilow'd, 
And lurid haloes in her ether glow'd. 

Heirs of a desert soil, where, wild and free, 
Dwelt Ismael's sons, from fervid Araby, 

24+ 



276 tmessiah's Kingdom. 

Whose sun-burnt wastes the sultry Simoom sweeps, 
Where fierce Sirocco whirls his burning heaps 
Beneath a dai-ken'd sky; from solitude 
Of lonesome caves, and sterile mountains, rude, 
Came forth the tutor'd Instrument of ill, 
Train'd to each wily art, with pliant will 
Prepared to follow where the tempter led. 
Its dazzling light where proud Ambition shedj 
*To seize the gilded bait whatever its cost, 
To stem the ocean though by tempests toss'd. 
To wear the' impostor's mask, with daring zeal 
To war with Truth, to grasp the gleaming steel. 
To quench in blood the light of heavenly day, 
And by infernal aid subvert Messiah's sway. 

Prophet of falsehood, foe of Christ, supplied 
With subterfuge of subtlety and pride, 
From Hera's cave dark Islam's Genius came ; 
Pierce in his bosom burn'd the enthusiast flalSie 
Kindled by fraudful spells of demons dire, 
Upon a heart impure ; where raged desire 
For rule predominant ; where, false and vain^ 
(The phantasies of a distemper'd brain,) 
Dwelt thoughts, and images^ and fictions wild, 
Of heaven-taught wisdom. Dark Delusion smiled. 
While from his lone recess Mohammed came, 
With fearless craft to Urge a prophet's claim. 
Not long fraternal jealousies repress'd 
The kindled ardours of his fervent breast; 
Whom Mecca spurn'd she soon, obsequious, sought; 
The prophet's code his keen-edged falchion taught, 
And Araby, her dreary wastes of sand. 
Her rifted mountains, and her odorous land 
Of spicy frankincense, to him consign'd ; 
To him the proud, the free, the fearless mind 
in twofold bondage bow'd ; with baits of sense, 
Deceptions dire, the sword's omnipotence. 
His country's yoke the fierce impostor bound, 
Then forged his fetters for the nations round. 

Their weight the nations felt. It was the hour 
By Vengeance given to that malignant Power 
Whose impious horn, uplifted to the sky, 
Assail'd the host of God, and dared defy 



BOOK X. 277 

Their Chieftain, though invincible in might : ' 

Presumptuous, proud, he scaled the lofty height 

Of Truth's fair temple, quench'd her altar fires, 

Snapped with riide hand her consecrated lyres, 

Roar'd through her vaulted aisles with dissonance wild, 

Her hallow'd courts with blood-stain'd step defiled, 

Waved his proud standai'd o'er her inmost shrine, 

Despoil'd her offerings ; from their might divine 

Cast down the stars of God, with glory crown'd 

And, impious, trampled on the sordid ground. 

It was that dreadful hour, when blood and tears 

Flow'd for transgressiori ; from their lUcid spheres 

When Judgment cast those orbs indignant down. 

Darkling they fell beneath His anger's frown, 

Whose word, permissive, bade foul arts assail, 

And fiery wrath against his Church prevail ■ 

Gave to the king of aspect fierce and bold, 

To scourge the sheep, to desolate the fold ; 

A prosperous space allow 'd to craft and lies, 

Nor tore the veil from fraudful mysteries, 

Nor check'd the inundating torrent's force, 

Nor stay'd Apollyon in his ruthless course, 

Till on a faithless Church the Wrath Divine 

Had, stern, avenged its desecrated shrine, 

Chastised apostasy with iron rod, 

And taught the world the Majesty of God. 

Strong roll'd the tide of war ; fanatic Zeal 
Blew her hoarse trumpet, bared her gleaming steel ; 
Her blood-stain'd banner bore o'er Asia's plains, 
On Syrian mountains left its crimson stains ; 
Proud cities fell beneath the Moslem's might, 
Damascus bled, and Balbec sunk in night ; 
Sad Palestine received the unholy guest, 
And Solyma, to deeper depths depress'd, 
By I^lam lords with sternest fetters bound, 
Sat, blind and captive, on the blasted gi'ound. 

Nor Asian triumphs stay'd the furious cry 
Of zealot wrath, and murderous cruelty ; 
On Egypt's streams the storm of battle pour'd, 
Within her sacred fanes the war-fiend roar'd ; 
Deserted Memphis felt the conqueror's might, 
And Theban glory set in Mecca's night; 



278 Messiah's KiNGDOBi. 

Proud Alexandria bore Imposture's yoke, 
And Truth's bright lamp, within her temple broke, 
lis heaven-illumined courts to darkness left, 
Of faith, of purity, of grace bereft. 
Still onwai'd, as the desert's sweeping blast 
O'er Afric's sands the crimson'd standard pass'd ; 
Then, lurid, floating in the buoyant breeze, 
Cast its dark shadow o'er the emerald seas, 
And heralded on Europe's smiling coasts 
The barbarous spoiler's swift descending hosts. 
As locust swarms devour the springing blade. 
Bare the tall fruit tree, spoil the forest shade, 
Eclipse the light, as, broad, on sounding wing. 
Their myriad tribes assail the stores of spring, 
While Desolation, wild, with haggard mien 
And sullen footstep tracks their path obscene ; 
So, darkling, spread the dire destroyer's bands 
In fearful phalanx o'er Iberia'sf lands, 
Italia's plains with trampling footsteps trod. 
And shook on Gallic shores the scourge of God. 

Stern was that scourge : a fierce and fiery brand, 
A rod of scorpions in Jehovah's hand ; 
Yet still untaught, still unrepentant, wail'd 
The recreant crowd ; presumptuous tongues assail'd 
The Majesty of Heaven ; though sore the smart 
Of rankling pain that wrung the tortured heart ; 
Still foul Apostasy, with demon power. 
Ruled the deep darkness of that midnight hour ; 
The Man of Sin in lawless falsehood reign'd. 
And held the Churches at his feet enchain'd. 

Heaven is long suffering ; stroke on stroke descends, 
Yet still the' uplifted arm the scourge suspends ; 
Patient though grieved, though vex'd forbearing still, 
Unwont to mix the bitterest cup of ill. 
Till threaten'd punishment in vain delay'd. 
In vain by love the stroke of justice stay'd. 
With heavier vengeance falls the fiery rod. 
With mantling fury foams the wrath of God, 
The deepest dregs of that distasteful draught. 
By earth's proud sons in loathing anguish quaiPd, 
The terrors of his awful Name shall prove 
The jealous glories of offended love, 
t Spain. 



BOOK X. 279 

Thus age on age the blast of judgment stay'd, 
Love, pitying love, the heavier wrath delay 'd ; 
At length, renew'd, the storm, impetuous, broke, 
Reposing thunders from their caverns woke ; 
Stern, on the margin of Euphrates' flood, 
The mighty Minister of vengeance stood, 
And, sudden, from its watery depths, released. 
As blazing meteors, o'er the gorgeous east 
Their fiery wings the Othman angels spread ; 
Earth, trembling, felt their firm and furious tread, 
And throes convulsive heaved the ruptured ground, 
As proud and terrible, with vaulting bound, 
Their snorting coursers' lofty necks they strode, 
And swift as whirlwinds to the war scene rode. 
As countless billows o'er the rolling main, 
So thousand thousands o'er the sounding plaih^ 
Fleet as their fiery leaders, rush'd to bear 
The storm of battle, and its spoils to share. 
On lion steeds, whose foaming nostrils pour'd 
Thick flashing flames, where loudest, fiercestj roar'd 
The sternest writhings of destruction's blast, 
The furious Turcoman impetuous pass'd. 

Far those swift steeds their raging riders bore j 
Dark Desolation swept the plain, the shore ; 
Unearth'd the cedar from the mountain's brow ; 
Bade the tall palm its waving honours bow ; 
Snapp'd the sweet flower that graced the lowly vale ■ 
RoU'd the rude torrent down the rifted dale ; 
O'erthrew the peopled mart, the palace proud ; 
Struck the throned monarch, and the Vassal crowd ; 
O'er seas, rocks, rivers, urged its wasting way,- 
Till clouds oblivious veil'd the closing day ; 
Then, baleful, on that turbid evening sky 
Stern Othman's blood-stain'd crescent gleam'd on high. 

Thus sunk amid the dreary mists of night 
The sun that lent the world its earliest light ; 
Thus wreck'd and desolate, by tempests riven, 
The orient Churches, to the spoiler given, 
Cdmber'd in ruinous heaps the blasted ground. 
The stroke was His who dark in anger frown'd, 
Cluench'd these apostate stars, and hurl'd from high 
The shrines where once, in glorious majesty, 



280 - Messiah's kingdom. 

His throne resplendent slione 5 by hell betray'd, 
Presumptuous wanderers in dim Error's shade^ 
Of lustre, beam by beam, malignant shorn, 
(As rising vapours cloud the beauteous morn,) 
Till brooding darkness spread her ebon wings, 
And veil'd the glory of celestial things. 

Still o'er those desolate shi'ines that darkness spreads 
Nor orient star, nor beam of morning, sheds 
Reviving gladness o'er those ruins drear ; 
No cheering voice salutes the listening ear ; 
The holy tongue of prophecy is hush'd ; 
Salvation's living streams that copious gush'd 
In crystal brightness, from the Fount Divine, 
No more, translucent, o'er that desert shine ; 
The wanderer through its arid wilds, athirst, 
Roves parch'd and strengthless ; the dire fiend accursed. 
There laid in dragon length, has turn'd aside, 
Or venom'd at its source the healthful tide. 

That foe of God and man exultant smiled ; 
The darken'd shrine, the sacred place defiled ; 
The hallow'd Presence felt no longer there ; 
The stately columns of that temple fair. 
Its living stones, no more harmonious placed, 
But scatter'd, spurn'd, by ruthless hands defaced ; — 
These were the triumphs of his craft, his power ; 
And o'er the ruins of that baleful hour, 
As erst o'er wither'd paradise, his eye 
Still glances keen, in deep malignity, 
And, shooting wild its scintillating flame, 
Still hails that spirit stern Apollyon's name. 
And glories in his potency of might, 
From heaven's pure spheres to hurl the stars of light, 
Proud, to supplant Jehovah's ancient throne. 
To call Moriah's sacred mount his own, 
His gorgeous throne on Sion's height to raise, 
Cast o'er Messiah's cross the baleful blaze 
Of that mahgnant orb, whose blasting light 
Imposture kindled in the depths of night. 
Yet God that license to Apollyon gave, 
Bade his dark pennon o'er the nations wave, 
Unsheathed the persecutor's gleaming sword, 
And vengeance on apostate rebels pour'd. 



BOOK X. 281 

God clothed those heavens in gloom ; His anger shed 

Those arrowy hghtnings on the guilty head ; 

He visited in judgnaent, gave the power 

To that dark angel : — yet, the' appointed hour, 

To hell's dominion in his wrath assign'd, 

Hastes on the wings of time. 

A blasting wind 
The adversary's myriad hosts shall smite ; 
A hand unseen, down from his towering height, 
Shall hurl apostate Pride. Beneath His curse 
Whose awful fiat rules the universe, 
Its gaudy, gorgeous draperies shall fade, 
And waste, and worthless, as a vest decay'd, 
Be vilely cast away ; the fretting moth, 
His silent, secret instrument of wrath, 
With noiseless tooth, corrosive, shall consume 
The subtlest texture wrought in Folly's ioom ; 
A worm conceal'd shall pierce the rugged root 
Of lawless violence, its blasted fruit 
Lie withering on the ground. 

Even thus the end 
Unmark'd shall come ; thus shall the curse descend 
Upon Messiah's foes ; nor might, nor power, 
Of earth, or hell, in that decisive hour, 
May help afford, or, interposing, stay 
The silent angel on his vengeful way. 
Lo, Mecca falls beneath his view^less stroke ! 
Enfranchised nations burst the idol yoke 
Of Rome's proud tyranny! The Church is free, 
And the whole earth, Messiah, bows to thee ! 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM, 
BOOK XI. 



; becomes vis only to dwell in duty, and to be silent in onr thoiighte, 
and wary in our discourses of God', and let him choose the time 
when he will prune his vine, and when he will burn his thorns j 
how long he will smite his servants, and when he will destroy his 
enemies^ Jeremy Taylor^ ' 



ARGUMENT. 

A FAITHFUL remnant reserved by Divine Providence, even 
in seasons of the most exterminating judgment, to be 
the germ of the reviving Church. — The visible Church 
found only among the Waldenses and Albigenses, in 
the secluded valleys of Piedmont. — Their sufferings and 
constancy in the perpetuation of evangelical truth, and 
resistance to the Papal apostasy. — Their present de- 
pressed circumstances. — Appeal to British sympathy. — 
Wickliife. — Sketch of a Waldensian pastor. — Almighty 
Power, by weak instruments, achieves its grand de- 
signs. — Welcome dawn of the Reformation. — Its gra- 
dual and unmarked progress. — Luther. — His bold and 
successful exposure of the Papal delusions. — God the 
defender of his servants in the hour of special danger. — 
Firmness and courage of the Reformers. — The world 
involved in a war of principles, which threatened the 
destruction of the Papal throne. — Britain, emancipated 
from its thraldom, made the depositary of Scriptural 
truth. — Sufferings of her martyrs. — tier primitive bar- 
barism and idolatry. — By her twofold emancipation from 
heathenism and from popery, laid under imperative obli- 
gation to communicate the blessings of the Gospel to all 
mankind. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM 

BOOK XL 
Valiant for the truth.~-Jer. ix, 3. 



When Vengeance, brooding o'er that elder world, 
l^rom heaven's dread storehouse storm and tempest hurl'dj 
Rent the dark caverns of the prison'd deep, 
And o'er creation bade wild waters sweep, 
Then, strangely shelter'd, on the weltering wave 
The ark triumphant rode : when Justice gave 
To fiery ruin Jordan's fertile plain, 
And pleading Abraham pour'd his prayer in vain, 
Then went commissi on'd angels forth to hide 
One sainted pilgrim in the mountain's side : 
When faithless Israel, impious, bow'd the knee 
At Baal's shrine, in foul apostasy, 
Jehovah's grace a remnant seed retain'd, 
And hidden thousands firm in faith remain'd. 

In truth immutable, His sovereign power 
Thus shields his Church in every perilous hour ; 
Preserves a sever'd, seal'd, accepted race | 
Cali'd, chosen, faithful monuments of grace, 
The germ of latent life, renew'd to rise 
And healthful spread reviving energies ; 
Beneath a calmer heaven its foliage fair. 
Its beaiiteous bloom and ripen'd fruit to bear ; 
Around, on high, its vigorous boughs to shoot. 
As from the elder oak's yet vital root 
Young branches rise, which, fed by genial rain. 
The ancient honours of its trunk sustain, 
Their verdant arms in leafy glory raise. 
And hide the injuries of darker days. 



286 MESSIAH'S KINGDOM^ 

Even thus, while loud the cataract torrent rolPd^ 
While fierce the Arab tiger scour'd the fold, 
While Babel Rome its thousand arts essay'd, 
Ensnared by subtilty, by wrath dismay'd, 
Some loyal hearts the serpent's wiles withstood, 
Defied the storm, and seal'd the truth with blood ; 
Some, by Jehovah's hand conceal'd, unknown, 
'Mid mountain glens and desert caves, alone, 
As Israel's seer, by Horeb's rifted steep, 
Laid down the pilgrim's staiF to rest and weep ; — • 
Some, bold as he, the dire defection view'd, 
And dared denounce the' apostate multitude. 
Emerged, as stars, from clouds by tempests chased, 
To gild the gloom, and cheer the howling waste. 

But whither, through that long, that dreary night, 
Retired apostate Zion's Orb of Light ? 
What favour'd clime its cheering rays received ? 
What unwarp'd nation still the truth believed ? 
Where fix'd Messiah his unearthly throne ? 
What realm, obedient to His rule alone, 
With steadfast courage spurn'd the' unholy yoke ? 
From hell's fou] frauds, its fearful threatenings broke? 
Its sternest frown of fiercest wrath sustain'd, 
And firm and faithful ^mid its fires remain'd ? 
Where rear'd the Church, with consecrated hand, 
Its blood-stain'd banner ? From what veteran land 
Came forth its champion sons, to keep the field. 
When myriad hosts, with Ic — of sword and shield, 
Before the conquering foe had u.isely fled, 
Or slept, illustrious, with the faithful dead ? 

Piedmont ! amid thy unstain'd Alpine snows 
Were found that wari'ior band, who dared oppose, 
With shield of faith the persecutor's sword, 
Whose conquering weapon was the hving Word. 
With thee were found those veteran spirits bold, 
Those hands that kept their fii*m and faithful hold 
Of Truth's palladium bright ; who nobly stood, 
Even as the rock, beneath the bursting flood. 
Which pours its cataracts from thy mountains' height;^ 
With stormy roar, and foam of rainbow light. 
Yes, thy wild woods, thy flinty vales can tell 
Of tested firmness, when the tempest fell, 



BOOK XI. 287 

When savage Slaughter stain'd thy streams with gore, 
Thy patriot sons from their loved country tore ; 
Tore as the whirlwind blast uproots the pine, 
Whose fibres round thy fissured rocks entwine, 
O'erwhelm'd thy little ones, thy matrons pale, 
In ruin, such as desolates the vale 
When from rent clouds impetuous rains descend. 
And beetling crags from frowning mountains rend, 
That hurl, in thundering course, the cot, the fold, 
The sleeping infant, and the grandsire old, 
The flock, the shepherd, to the foaming flood ; 
At dawn a deluge, where at evening stood 
The cheerful hamlet, and the hallow'd fane, 
The peopled pasture, and the ripening grain ; 
Where ruddy Health with calm Contentment dwelt^ 
And Piety to heaven adoring knelt. 

Hard is the heart of Tyranny, and cold 
The breast of Superstition ; both of old 
Sever'd those sympathetic links that bind 
Man, suffering man, to others of his kind. 
Savoy ! thy sterile, stony heights portray 
The ruthless rigours of thy cheerless sway, 
Impervious to the soft-descending shower, 
Ungenial, even in spring's expansive hour. 
Thee not the suppliant's prayer could prompt to save 
Nor deeds of valour move to spare the brave ; 
From thee the keen inquisitorial eye 
Peer'd baleful forth, in fell malignity 
Searching its victim out ; or, cold and bright, 
Gazing on agony with fix'd delight ; 
Then, raising its unholy orb on high, 
Obtesting heaven's ethereal sanctity, 
And boasting sanction of the tenderest name, 
For murderous deeds that cover hell with shame. 

Beneath this iron sceptre, wrong'd, abhorr'd, 
Dwelt the meek servants of their suffering Lord ; 
Like Him, despised and poor, in grief they trod 
The blood-stain'd footsteps of incarnate God ; 
Oppression's prey, insulted, scourged, reviled, 
To deserts driven, and cavern'd mountains wild, 
Exiles and wanderers on each distant shore, 
Their steadfast witness to the truth they bore ; 

25* 



288 Messiah'^ kingdom^ 

In mourning garb, their hallow'd faith proclaim'dj 
And only Christ, the King, the Savioui-, named. 

Here, while apostates ti'od the hallow'd fane, 
While demon powers to worship false and vain 
Beguiled the crowd, while Sin and Error reign'd, — ^ 
By blameless Piety, by Grace sustain'd, 
Here Truth, though to a narrow sphere confined, 
Diffused its lustre o'er the simple mind, 
Resisted night's encroaching gloom, and dwelt, 
As erst the light in Goshen, when was felt 
O'er Misraim's lar.d the darkness of the dead ; 
Where vapoury spectres their pale horrors shedj 
Portending terror to the sons of night, 
And deepening darkness by infernal light. 

Heaven asks not mighty agents ; to the meek, 
The docile, shall the guiding Spirit speak. 
He turns from pomp and pageantry, to hide 
His secret with the babes whom men deride. 
In rustic vales he fix'd his lowly home, 
Left the proud splendours of apostate Rome, 
And there, with saints, in sorrowing sackcloth dwtlU 
Whose hallow'd souls the sacred unction felt ; 
Messiah's witnesses, whose banners bore 
His only name. His cross to whom they swore 
Allegiance against each usurping foe, 
That ruled on earth, or rose from hell below. 
His sacramental host, to him they bow'd, 
Nor knelt to Baal, with the idol crowd ; 
But spurn'd his name, with uncorrupted breath, 
Nor parlance held with shrinking fears of death ; 
But kept the faith, which lives, though life depart, 
Which binds the truth to the triumphant heart, 
Bears above mortal rage its glorious prize, 
With pity views the' assailant foe, and flies 
Up to the Saviour's throne, to share his victories. 

So triumph'd many a saint, and from that fight 
Ascended to a martyr's throne in light. 
Received the palmy wreath, the sparkling crown, 
Laid at Messiah's feet their trophies down, 
And join'd with slaughter'd saints of elder days, 
To lift the lofty song of heavenly praise. 
But Satan's hosts prevailed not, nor the ire 
Of hell's stern prophet, though with tortures dire. 



BOOK Xi. 289 

And dragon terrors arm'd, with sinuous arts, 

To wind deception round unwary hearts, 

Or, foaming, wrathful, with pestiferous breath, 

To dart at once the fiery shaft of death. 

Though earth's discordant elements engaged, 

And furious war against the remnant waged ; 

Yet, grounded on the everlasting Rock, 

Unmoved, impregnable, the ocean's shock. 

The windy tempest in its strength they bore, 

And, calm, defied the vollied thunder's roar ; 

Stood as the city on the mountain's height. 

And thi'ouah surrounding shades diffused celestial light. 

And still the shepherd tells his pensive tale, 
Detains the traveller in his lonely vale, 
Or points, amid those rugged mountains steep. 
Where snows and storms their stern pavilion keep, 
To monuments of sterner suffering, borne 
By martyr'd faith,— there, hunted, trampled, torn 
By Rome's fierce dogs, to murderous havoc bred ; 
There, while his eyes their glistening tribute shed^ 
He tells of ancient constancy, of truth. 
Of patriot love, from hoary age to youth, 
Unmingled, as his mountain springs, convey'd, 
And prized, and cherish'd still, in Alpine shade ; 
For still Valensian faith, by guardian grace, 
Its fair, untainted Hneage lives to trace, 
With primal truth alliance, pure, to claim, 
A Church unbranded with the apostate's ncune. 

Rude in this desert world is Virtue's lot, 
Bleak blows the blast around her rustic cot ; 
Her scanty board penurious Caution spreads. 
And rough and rugged is the soil she treads. 
Thus, cheerless, buffeted by boisterous gales, 
The Alpine pastor treads his lonely vales : 
Yet, lucid, there appears his reverend form, 
A peaceful rainbow on the lowering storm ; 
Mildly on all he sheds his cheering light, 
And feeds his flock by day, and guards the fold by night. 

Meek, unsunn'd shepherd of a charge despoil'd, 
So rude the clime in which thy Master toil'd ! 
And thou, like Him, inured to grief and pain, 
Must, sorrowing, still the hallow'd cross sustain ; 



290 Messiah's kingdom. 

Still must thy spirit weep for Sion's woes, 

As from thy mountains fall dissolving snows ; 

For still beneath Oppression's yoke she sighs, 

Still tears of sorrow dim her streaming eyes^ 

And Penury, with sullen grasp, and cold, 

Of thy sad charge retains relentless hold ; 

Constrains, from stranger hands, a boon to crave ; 

A boon, how small to that which once they gave ! 

How small to that erewhile conferr'd on thee, 

Renown'd Britannia ! when thy faithless knee 

Bow'd to the idol, and thy recreant breast, 

Degenerate, bore the stamp, by Rome impress'd • 

Then to thy Wickliffe's lamp their torch they lent ; 

Its kindhng blaze through thy deep darkness sent 

A hving beam, that broke the cheerless night, 

Illustrious presage of approaching hght ; 

Light which ere long illumed the sacred page, 

Ti-anspierced the veil, and to a wondering age 

Disclosing oracles of truth Divine, 

Made in thy native phrase their priceless treasures thine, 

. Nor shall Britannia, ever prompt to save, 

To cheer the drooping, to applaud the bi-ave, 

Whose warm philanthropy, like orient light, 

Through every clime directs its glorious flight ; 

At every call whose warm expansions flow, 

Whose generous sons on Mercy's errands go 

To Indus, or the pole, where'er the breeze 

Bears gallant vessel o'er the dark blue seas ; — 

Nor shall Britannia fail the call to meet 

Of suff'ering Vii-tue in her lone retreat ; 

Of Piety, that nobly kept the field, 

When death, and hell, and torture press'd to yield ; 

That bore the war against a recreant world, 

The banner of the blood-stain'd cross unfurl'd, 

And fix'd it firm upon the snow-clad steep. 

And fought, and bled, and nobly fell, to keep 

The sacred ensign from unhallow'd hands, 

And stood, a moveless host, against infernal bands, 

Meanwhile the pastor, in his lonely glen, 
Bows meekly to the blast ; for, not from men 
Seeks he his boon of blessing ; but, sublime, 
O'erlooks the stormy scenery of time, 



BOOK XL 291 

Towers, like the snow-clad steeps that round him rise. 

To meet the sunbeam in the oi-ient skies, 

And bears his soul aloft, in glorious hope. 

Ere long to pass within the goodly cope 

Of those fair heavens, and from a brighter sphere 

Look down on torrent streams and sterile mountains drear. 

He loves his native vale ; and, poignant, feels 
Her deep and cruel wrongs ; frequent he kneels 
In patient prayer before the Saviour's throne, 
And there, in grief, in meekness, all his own, 
Like Judah's pensive seer, with streaming eyes. 
Bemoans his captive Zion's miseries ; 
And oft, like him, a whispering angel near 
Awakes his soul the Spirit's voice to hear 5 
And oft, while silent on the word Divine, 
Prayerful he muses, holy splendours shine, 
And Faith, with eagle vision, bright, beholds 
Those distant scenes which prescient Heaven unfolds, 
When clouds no more shall veil the' eternal Light, 
Nor envious vapours wrap the world in night ; 
When every foe Messiah's rule shall own. 
And, suppliant, bend before his conquering throne ; 
When those who here the path of suffering trod 
Shall bear the glory of the sons of God. 
He sees the Church in stainless robes array'd 
In hallow'd rest beneath the Bridegroom's shade ; 
He sees, and cheers his suffering charge obscure. 
Meekly he bids them to the end endure ; 
Ere long the lambs upon the Shepherd's breast. 
The burthen'd, led by Him, shall safely rest 
Where no annoying foes, no beast of prey, 
Shall prowling wait to bear his charge away ; 
But fast by still, meandering streamlets led, 
In fertile vales and dewy pastures fed. 
Celestial peace shall crown the sacred hours, 
And mountains, desert once, bring forth ambrosial flowers. 

He has seen many winters ; o'er his head 
The almond's sprays their silvery whiteness shed, 
And his pale cheek, though furrow'd deep by time. 
Yet holds an interest which not manhood's prime, 
Tinted with health and beauty, can impart ; 
His mild, clear eye bespeaks the feeling heart 5 



292 Messiah's kingdom. 

Grace has sublimed his nature ; the bright rays 
Of heaven-born science cheer'd his opening days y 
Nor Penury, nor harsh Oppression's power, 
Nor pale Disease, nor life's declining hour, 
Has quench'd the ardours of his fervent mind ; 
But still his lips, in eloquence refined, 
Distil the dews of wisdom ; and the page 
Of classic lore, familiar to his age. 
Attests, that deep in early youth he sought 
The gems of knowledge in the mine of thoughts 

As purple clouds on western skies outspread, 
O'er setting suns intenser glory shed. 
So Pain and Penury, and darkling Grief, 
Set Virtue forth in bright and strong i-elief : 
And thus, 'mid Sorrow's pensive shades, declines 
The Pastor's sun, and more resplendent shines, 
More gorgeous, as it falls ; his mountains, bold, 
Catch the rich crimson and the burnish'd gold ; 
His ridgy rocks receive the parting beam. 
Starlike it glitters on the tranquil stream ; 
It sinks, illustrious, — sinks again to rise. 
And pour new glories o'er unchanging skies : 
Bright in heaven's sapphire firmament to glow, 
Far, far from storms, that roar and rage below, 
Where no horizon shall its splendours bound, 
But one eternal day with brightening beams be crown'd. 

As from the driving storm the cavern'd rock 
Spreads its broad shelter o'er the new-shorn flock. 
Or, fervid while meridian sunbeams beat. 
With friendly shade protects from sultry heat. 
So Alpine heights their towering summits raised. 
To shield the stricken Church ; while, ardent, blazed 
Fierce Persecution's baleful orb on high. 
And scowling tempests dimm'd the azure sky : 
There, her black wings while bi'ooding Darkness spread, 
Celestial Truth its holy lustre shed ; 
There burn'd the lamp before the sacred shrine. 
The verdant olive bore its fruit Divine ; 
There glow'd the bush in unconsuming flame, 
The Spirit there inscribed the mystic name ; 
There walk'd the Saviour Son, and, bright sustain'd 
The stars that roU'd in radiance unprofaned. 



BOOK XI. 293 

Yet not to moantaiii glens, to rocks confined. 
Must Truth dwell ever : for the world design'd^ 
Divergent as the sun's its beams must shine, 
And fill the universe vi^ith light Divine. 
Short is the triumph of the proud ! In vain 
The powers of hell withstand Messiah's reign ; 
In vain earth's potentates in leagued strife 
Unite with hell against the Lord of life ; 
His eye looks forth upon their dark array,— 
The alien armies, troubled, fade away : 
He frowns, and heavily their chariots roll ; 
Their day is dimness ; vex'd, perturb'd in soul, 
They urge their course against his vengeful ire,, 
Or fly in terror from his glance of fire. 
In vain; for vengeance rolls with stormy sweep, 
And horse and rider perish in the deep. 

God reigns in peerless Majesty ! With light, 
His own pure efflux, as a curtain, bright, 
He veils the awful glories of his throne ; 
Deep in eternity he dwells alone ; 
Bids angel powers perform his perfect will, 
Or earth the counsels of his word fulfil ; 
Heaven's first-born seraph to his footstool brings,, 
Or highest purpose works by meanest things ; 
That all in earth, that all in heaven may own, 
The strength, the wisdom, flow from him alone ^ 
To Him alone in prostrate worship bend, 
Their life, their bliss, their origin, and end. 

Hark ! in the camp of Midian ! 'Tis the cry 
Of those who fall in battle I those who fly 
From the pursuing foe ! 

Yet wherefore fear ? 
Stay, Amalek, no mighty host is near : 
And thou, in warlike panoply array'd, 
Like locusts camp'd beneath the summer shade, 
Liest stretch'd in countless thousands o'er the plaiiij 
Compact as barrier sands that bound the maitto 
Why faints thy trembling heart? What strange affright 
Pervades thy tents, and turns the deadly fight, 
Desperate, against thyself? 

That fatal dread 
Jehovah sends ! Beneath his banners led, 



294 Messiah's kingdom. 

The valorous Abiezrite's slender band 
Shall rescue Israel from thy powerful hand ; 
Rend from thy brow its costly splendours, bright, 
And urge, resistless, thy inglorious flight. 

And such was He, as Gideon, unrenown'd, 
That master spii-it, by Jehovah crown'd 
With light, and energy, and zeal, and love ; 
Whose soul of fire, enkindled from above, 
Whose dauntless mind a mightier work achieved 
Than Israel's sons from Midian's yoke retrieved. 
Yes, such an instrument, unheeded, small, 
Received the quickening Spirit's earliest call 
To rise and burst the thraldom of the mind ; 
To break the fetters that enslaved mankind, 
To sound the trump in Superstition's ear, 
To bid the tents of Babel quake for fear. 
To wield the Spirit's sword with conquering might, 
To urge Apostasy's dark hosts to flight. 
To dim the jewel in Imposture's crown. 
And cast the blood-stain'd shrines of Baal down. 

'Tis sweet, when Winter's tempest clouds retire, 
To hear the music of the woodland quire ; 
To see fresh verdure deck the leafless grove. 
The pure, clear sun through heaven's blue pathway move. 
New life, new beauty, start from every spray, 
Gi-een Earth rejoicing, and her tenants gay. 
'Tis sweet, at early dawn, to mark the light 
With silvery pencil streak the shades of night ; 
To view the morn her pearly gates unfold, 
The glorious sun expand his wings of gold ; 
To watch the mountains catch his dazzling biaze^ 
Soft, dewy flowers return his glistering rays ; 
To taste the fragrant breeze, the freshening gale, 
Fair Nature in her orient charms to hail. 
'Tis sweet to rise from subterranean gloom, 
The dark recesses of earth's cavern'd womb ; 
To meet once more the light of healthful day, 
'Mid moss-grown steeps, and rocky ridges gray. 
To mark the limpid streams, translucent, flow, 
Emerging, bright, from secret springs below ; 
To bless the broad and beauteous landscape, fair^ 
To feel reviving heat, and breathe elastic air. 



BOOK XI. 295 

But sweeter, fairer, than returning spring, 
Than morn advancing on empurpled wing, 
Than cheerful day, to him whose wandering feet 
Have follow'd Nature through her lone retreat, 
Returns celestial Truth, with holy light 
To chase the gloom of Error's darkling night ; 
With genial warmth to burst the chains that bind 
In icy winter man's immortal mind ; 
To melt, as vapoury wreaths, the mists exhaled 
From Superstition's caves, where, dark, prevail'd 
The sorceries of hell. 

With upward flight 
The morn's sweet minstrel hails returning light ; 
So, joyous, spreads the Muse her weary wing. 
Escaped from' prosperous Falsehood, glad to sing 
Thy triumphs, heavenly Truth ! Thy glorious fornnj 
As sunbeams, radiant, 'mid the passing storm, 
To view, once more, in holy beauty rise. 
Chasing dim vapours from sad wintry skies ; 
The foul creations of chaotic shade, 
Before thy light, as baseless phantoms, fade, 
And earth's reviving, re-illumined sphere 
Again looks forth, dispels her coward fear, i 
And, eager, hails thy bright returning ray, 
The joyous presage of a perfect day. 

From deepest darkness wakes the morning light ; 
O'er dense, dim clouds the rainbow arches bright j 
Resistless courage rises from despair. 
And Truth, though wrong'd, is Heaven's pecuHar care. 

Truth, fairest guest, that from celestial spheres 
Deign'st visit this low world, how oft by tears 
Has thy rude path been water'd ! and thy feet 
Have felt the flinty rock ! Thy lone retreat 
Has been the mountain cave, the desolate glen, 
Where, from the tyrannous pursuit of men, 
Thou hadst retired to hide thee, when their rage 
^Gainst Heaven and thee presumed fierce war to wage. 
But thou wast born for empire ; and thy reign, 
As multitudinous waves o'erspread the main, 
Shall cover this wide earth. The proud shall stoop^ 
As flowers of grass beneath the sunbeam droop, 

26 



296 MESSlAH^S KINGDOM. 

Before thy regal sceptre ; the rough wind 
Up in its stormy wings thy foes shall bind^ 
And bear them to the wilderness away ; 
Whilst thou, sublime in glory, shalt display 
From thy pure throne the diadem and sword, 
And triumph o'er a universe restored. 

Long had the desolate earth in grief, and pain, 
And deep debasement, dragg'd the ponderous chain 
Of Antichristian rule. In fetters bound. 
Alike, the prince and peasant press'd the ground j 
While, on his lawless throne, Messiah's foe, 
Exulting, spurn'd the abject crowd below : 
When, lo ! a seed of life, in secret cast 
Into the sterile earth, evolved at last. 
Protrusive soon the rising blade appear'd, 
A grateful verdure Nature's dulness cheer'd, 
And Hope, rekindling, strove to aid the soil 
By iimely culture and continuous toil ; 
While suns from heaven their genial influence shed, 
And fostering earth with vital juices fed. 

From Saxon soil that germ in weakness sprung ; 
While, damp and drear, the mists of Winter hung 
Yet on the cheerless earth, and opening Spring 
Met rude repulses from his rugged wing. 
'Mid frosts and storms, and many a poisonous weedj 
And tangling thorn, a small and scanty seed, 
Awhile the rising shoots unheeded grew, 
Their stalks were slender, and their ears were few. 
Unlabouring husbandmen, in soft repose, 
Despised the weak, the slender plants that rose 
Beneath rank weeds and unpropitious skies ; 
Till, lo! unsightly to their jaundiced eyes, 
From deep-struck roots full golden ears at length 
Waved bright in beauty, and stood firm in strength ; 
With copious harvest crown'd the tiller's toil, 
And yielded healthful seed for distant soil. 

High in the annals of that hallow'd fame, 
Which registers full many a conquering name, 
Stands forth that champion for the truth, whose might 
Durst, singly, dare Goliah to the fight ; 
Drew from his humble scrip the slender stone. 
And hurl'd it at the apostatic throne i 



BOOK tu 297 

Whose firm and noble prowess, bold, defied 
The Philistine, in all his power and pride, 
Assail'd the close compacted-ranks that stood 
Around their chief, whose fierce and fiery mood 
Had wither'd even the valorous, and whose arts 
Had captived to destruction countless hearts ; 
Hell's specious emissaries, train'd beneath 
In aspen gall to steep the shafts of death. 

Luther ! thy name, revered, the Church shall bless; 
Long as her pale retains its witnesses 
To truths thy heaven-illumined eye discern'd, 
While yet the lamp of Superstition burn'd 
Dim on her desecrated shrines ; while, high, 
Blazed the broad noontide of Idolatry ; 
While shameless Vice, unmask'd, her form display'd^ 
And Sin, in sacerdotal vest array'd, 
Enticed the stranger to the downward way^ 
And sued for bribes to lead the blind astray , 
Commuted crime for gold, and dared dispense 
License to disobey Omnipotence. 

Then, as from smitten steel, the kindling spark 
Glow'd in thy fervent bosom ; all was dark 
Around, beneath ; but, wafted from on high, 
Came secret airs, that fann'd it silently : 
'Mid cloister'd aisles, and lonely vigils nursed, 
At length that prison'd flame, impetuous, burst, 
Wide, deep, and high, electric impulse spread, 
With brilliant haloes wreathed thy honour'd head, 
And mark'd thee, chosen by high Heaven, to stand 
The valorous leader of truth's champion band. 
It was an arduous post ; nor giant might 
Of unai-m'd mortal could sustain that fight. 
Could bear the war against the powers of hell, 
Withstand their countless hosts invisible, 
Undaunted meet the dragon's fiery breath, 
Chafe the gaunt lion in the bound of death, 
Could grapple with the hydra form of Strife, 
Despising danger, liberty, and Hfe, 
Contemn reproach, contumely, and scorn, 
Or menace dire of Pride's uplifted horn. 

Stern was the task, nor less than his of old, 
Reproving angel of false Israel's fold, 



298 Messiah's kingdom. 

Whose wondrous prayer of faith, whose voice of ire, 

Restram'd the heavens, or drew forth shafts of fire, 

Yet, clothed alone in panoply of zeal, 

Of truth, of righteousness, than mailed steel 

Less vulnerable to assailant darts 

Of tyrant earth, or hell's insidious arts. 

Forth to the war the' anointed champion came, 

Unfurl'd his banners in Jehovah's name, 

Proclaim'd the truth, the ancient faith declared, 

Nor demon powers, nor Rome's apostate spared ; 

But open'd wide the Volume from above, 

Unseal'd the counsels of Eternal Love ; 

On eyes long dimm'd, celestial radiance pour'd, 

The hallow'd mystery of grace restored. 

One only mediatorial Priesthood show'd, 

One Name alone through which salvation flow'd ; 

While demon rites, and desecrated shrines. 

And idol mockeries, and delusive signs, 

Like melting snows beneath the solar ray, 

Before the beam of truth to darkness pass'd away. 

Truth warr'd and conquer'd, till the angry foe, 
To vengeance roused, prepared his deadly blow. 
And, full-inflated with presumptuous pride, 
Deem'd his foul breath might sweep the storm aside ; 
That, arm'd with giant strength, with thunders dire, 
With scourge of torture, and with stings of fire. 
His potent hand might spurn the' aspiring foe, 
With single stroke lay bold Intrusion low ; 
That stern anathemas, indignant hurl'd 
From Baal's heights, as erst, would awe the world, 
The recreant rebel to his footstool bring, 
A fetter'd bond-slave of the' apostate king. 

God, in the hour of danger, with his shield 
Defends the uncover'd head : the foe may wield, 
With potent hand, his bright and ponderous blade ; 
He is invincible whom heavenly aid 
Sustains and fortifies, though round him fly 
The fiery shafts of death, or ambush'd lie 
Myriads of foes malign, whose secret snares 
Beset his dangerous path. Whom God prepares 
His instrument of judgment or of grace, 
He, clothed with immortality, his race 



BOOK XI. 299 

Shall unobstructed run, though hell oppose, 
And earth with banded armies round him close. 

Beneath the shield of Heaven, thus Luther stood ; 
And thus the firm and holy brotherhood 
Who fought with him beneath the sacred sign, 
In earnest contest for the faith Divine ! 
In vain loud-pealing papal thunders roar'd ; 
In vain wild waters the fell dragon pour'd ; 
Nor persecution's flood restrain'd their course, 
Nor curses, launch'd with dire demoniac force ; 
Nor Pain, nor Death, whose dark and dread array. 
Like gather'd clouds, frowri'd dimly o'er their way. 
Could check the progress of the sons of light, 
Or chase their conquering standard from the fight ; 
Till earth, amazed, beheld them from afar, 
And slumbering nations roused to furious war. 

To furious war : not such as erst they waged 
When only in the spoiler's bosom raged 
Rude, barbarous thirst of prey ; not war, whose hand 
Clench'd, blood-bedropp'd, his blade, from land to land 
Sweeping on gorgon wing, to earn the name 
Of greatness, ill applied by babbling Fame 
To monsters of mankind ; not war, whose stroke 
Assail'd the diadem, or, ponderous, broke 
The curious carvings of the ivory throne. 
It was the strife of mind, the contest known 
To hosts invisible, whose mightier strength, 
Array'd in dire collision, through the length 
Of circling ages, in firm phalanx dread, 
By seraphim and fallen archangel led, 
Darkness with light have warr'd. It was the soul 
In struggle 'gainst the long-usurp'd control 
Of hell's unnatural bondage. 'Twas the cry, 
Too long repress'd, of heaven-born energy, 
Resolved to claim its birthright, to explore 
The hidden mine of truth, deceived no more 
By fraud a,nd falsehood, with delusive lies, 
Forged in dark limbo, of hell's vanities. 
'Twas science, from barbarian night emerged, 
Confronted with foul craft. 'Twas Truth that urged 
Her sword of proof, that held her torch on high, 
Struck the broad visor from Hypocrisy, 

26* 



300 Messiah's kingdom. 

That from the saturnine and rayless ball 
Of odious Ignorance, the muffling pall, 
The blinding fillet, and the scale, withdrew. 
Averse from light, on vampire wing she flew 
To haunt obscurer scenes ; for not in strife 
Of virtuous energies her streamless life 
Its leaden pulse sustains. 

Such strife was there : 
Truth, Conscience, Liberty, and Virtue fair, 
In glorious war, assail'd the hosts of Pride : 
Heaven own'd the contest, nor its aid denied. 

It was a well-fought day. But on that field 
What thousands fell ! What myriad martyrs seal'd 
The sacred truth with blood ! They loved not life, 
Retain'd no compromise with hell ; but strife 
And righteous quai-rel with its hosts preferr'd : 
For, lo, a Voice, amid the conflict heard, 
Proclaim'd the triumphs of the faithful dead ! 
They saw Messiah's conquering armies led, 
Victorious, by himself, the King of kings ; 
And, upward borne on Faith's expanded wings, 
Felt not the stroke by which the galled foe 
Laid the frail frame in dust ; nor could that blow 
Ungrasp the veteran hand that nobly held 
Its proud palladium, and in death repell'd, 
On Faith's bright shield, the keen, insidious dart. 
By falsehood sped, against the loyal heart. 
That even in falling o'er the foe prevail'd. 
And in the hour of glad departure hail'd 
Advancing ranks, who to the conflict came. 
Baptized into the conquering warrior's name^ 
Pledged on that consecrated field to die, 
And follow him to immortality. 
Or bear aloft the sacramental sign, 
Unstain'd, and waving to the sacred shrine, 
To swell the triumphs of Messiah's sway. 
And at his feet their hallow'd trophies lay. 

Then shook the throne on many waters raised ; 
in deep suspense the wondering nations gazed ; 
The sorceress trembled, while her deeds of night 
Stood blazoned forth beneath the searching light 
Of Truth's detecting beam. With murmuring swell 
The tide of indignation rose and fell ; 



BOOK XIo 301 

Beneath her feet the cleaving depths were seen, 
And Babylon's intoxicated queen 
Even then had perish'd, but inebriate kings 
Flew to her rescue, as on eagles' wings ; 
Awhile her shatter'd, tottering throne sustained. 
And sharers in her sins and plagues remain'd. 

Albion, thrice bless'd ! in that eventful hour 
Thy lofty spirit spurn'd the tyrant's power, 
Cast from thy limbs her sever'd chains, and broke 
From thy proud neck the captive's galling yoke. 
No longer couch'd beneath the guilty sway 
Of Babylon, tliy lordly lion lay : 
Thy shield and sword were with her foes^ thy land 
A sacred refuge from her murderous hand, 
And thy stern sons against her treacherous arts 
With Truth's impervious breastplate mail'd their hearts, 
Dash'd from their lips her deleterious wine, 
Renounced her faith, and sought the grace Divine, 

Not unpursued, from that unhallow'd fold, 
Retired thy sons, Britannia ! Still her hold 
The sorceress queen essay'd by force to keep, 
And placed her wolves among thy bleating sheep; 
But, severed from the triple crown, a blaze 
Of clustering gems diffused celestial rays, 
And o'er thee shed a purer, holier light 
Than warrior kings, renovvn'd in fields of fight, 
Who round thy brows the laurel wreath entwined, 
Waved thy proud ensigns in the distant wind, 
Bright on thy shield their martial trophies hung, 
And made thy praise the theme of every tongue. 
Yes, thou canst boast thy martyr band, whose light^ 
Like brilliant stars amid the gloom of night, 
Illumed the darkness of thy stormy skies, 
And cast the halo of their victories 
Around thy calmer sphere ; who bore the shock 
Malific, as the adamantine rock 
Repels the tempest's rage ; nor scorching flame, 
Nor whelming floods, their dauntless faith o'ercame i 
As tested gold beneath the fire it giow'd, 
As unmix'd silver from the furnace flow'd, 
Received the impress of the Name Divine, 
And bore the standard of the sacred shrine^ 



302 Messiah's kingdom. 

Yes, highly favour'd ! Heaven vouchsafed to thee 
Champions for truth, who earn'd their victory 
By conflict, even to blood ; whose hallow'd zeal 
The firm foundations of thy future weal 
Laid in the damp, incarcerating gloom 
Of many a prison vault and lonely tomb, 
Whose dread descent through no still chambers lay, 
But Torture pointed out the dreary way, 
And Agony, with writhing aspect dire, 
Led on, through scorching flames and penetrating fire. 
'Mid scenes like these, of peril, suffering, strife, 
Surmounted danger and surrender'd life, 
Thy temple from surrounding ruins rose, 
And Israel's God in thee his sanctuary chose. 

A stranger once, in Gentile darkness nursed, 
A slave, in Superstition's dreams immersed, 
*Mid Druid groves a blood-stain'd wanderer wild, 
By demons to infernal rites beguiled. 
Thee Mercy visited, and bade thee rise, 
Abjure barbarian, murderous mysteries, 
A holier Name in holier acts adore, 
Pollute the' ensanguined earth Avith crimes no more ; 
But lift the suppliant prayer, the streaming eye, 
And view the herald of salvation nigh, 
And raptured listen, while his cheerful voice 
With echoing gladness bade thy wilds rejoice. 

Heaven call'd thee, unbeloved, its grace to share j 
Thee, alien once, a Father's tenderest care 
Reclaim'd and cherish'd ; yet seductive wiles, 
tJnhallow'd lure of Rome's apostate smiles, 
Won thy unwary feet from Wisdom's way : 
Again, benignant Mercy pour'd the ray 
Of living light upon thy path, and show'd, 
From Error's labyrinth wide, the upward road 
That led thee back to life ; to thee consign'd 
The lamp of truth, to lead and cheer mankind, 
With watchful care the saci^ed flame to tend. 
Reflect its brightness, and its beams extend, 
Till o'er the universe its splendours flow. 
And every darken'd clime with holy radiance glow. 

Britannia, tune thy lyre to loftiest lays ; 
Make thy woods vocal with enraptured praise ; 



BOOK XI. 303 

Strike thy sweet harp, and o'er the emerald sea 

Send sacred sounds of solemn melody. 

Let distant isles thy grateful triumphs know ; 

To distant isles thy great salvation show ; 

And, lowly, learn, that not alone for thee 

Shines the bright symbol of Divinity 

Within thy hallow'd shrine. Go, worship there • 

Go, purge thy earth-born spirit, and prepare 

On seraph wing to soar through every clime, 

The holy herald of that sound sublime 

That summon ransom'd souls to life and light, 

From death's dread confines and the realms of night. 

The world awaits thy teaching ; from the bound 
Of the bleak north, with icy circles crown'd. 
To where the southern wave impetuous pours 
Its crested foam on rude Magellan's shores ; 
Where either India courts the torrid beams ; 
Where rolls Columbia its majestic streams ; 
Amid Caucasian snows where Tartars rove ; 
Where balmy spices scent the Syrian grove ; 
Where Egypt's sullen devastations spread 
Stupendous ruin round the mighty dead ; 
Beneath her blasted palm ti'ee, on the ground, 
Where Judah sits, in servile fetters bound ; 
Where distant islands stud the hoary deep ; 
On sterile shores where stormy billows sweep ; 
Where Ethiopia spreads its scorching sands ; 
Where Niger rolls through undiscover'd lands ; 
Where Afric's mountains meet the western wave, 
And yield to ruthless chains the sable slave ; 
Where wild and free the swarthy savage roams ; 
With baleful lustre, on her gilded domes. 
Where Mecca's planet gleams ; where Grecia's isles 
In lovely beauty bask in nature's smiles, 
Yet pine, unvisited with heavenly life. 
In formless chaos of tumultuous strife ; — 
These wait thy gallant barks, which buoyant ride 
On the rough ridge of every rolling tide, 
And earnest ask that sacred boon from thee, 
By which thyself, a captive, wast made free, 
Establish'd on thy sea-girt throne, and placed, 
The Glueen of nations, in the watery waste. 



304 Messiah's kingdom. 

Gem of the ocean, whose pellucid light 
Shines like the sun's in every region bright, 
O'er the green earth, and o'er the dark blue sea 
Thy banners wave ; the wreath of victory, 
In verdant freshness, shi-ouds thy lofty brow ; 
Ambition's ci'ested plumes before thee bow ; 
Thy nervous arm upholds the ample shield 
Against misrule and anarchy ; the field 
Of science yields its harvest to thy sway ; 
To thee the Arts and sister Muses pay 
The tributary meed, wreathing with flowers 
Thy sculptured columns and thy rural bowers ; 
And fairer, as thy bright adornment shine, 
Not the vast circus, or the dazzling shrine, 
Gorgeous with idle trophies, but the home 
Of orphans doom'd in penury to roam ; 
The house of mercy for the raaim'd, the blind ; 
The covert from the storms that vex mankind, 
From all the woes that sympathy can share, 
The wants that charity can make her care ; 
The porch where bland Instruction trains thy youth 
In paths of wisdom, and in words of truth ; 
The sacred fane, the holy house of prayer. 
That heavenward rise, and for that heaven prepare ;- 
These are the monuments that grace thy land ; 
These on thy happier soil more glorious stand 
Than sculptured forms by Grecian genius wrought, 
Or proud emblazon'd wai-s by Roman valour fought. 

Yet higher efforts claim thy zeal, thy love, 
For largest blessings granted from above ; 
Heaven to thy hand the lamp of truth consign'd : 
'Tis thine, with grateful heart, to all mankind 
Its quickening, guiding, cheering beams to show. 
O'er earth's dark bounds to bid its glories flow. 
'Tis thine, Messiah's messenger of grace, 
To bear his summons to the sinful race ; 
Glory to God, salvation to proclaim. 
And peace with Heaven through one Eternal Name ; 
The Gentiles for the marriage feast prepare. 
And call a wandering world the rich repast to share ^ 
Even Israel's ancient alien house to bring. 
And bid the weary exiles own their king j 



BOOK XI. 305 

?n the strong basis of the moveless stone 
Fo rear the structure of that conquering throne 
Whose power, uprooting hell's infernal sway, 
Earth's proudest sceptres in the dust shall lay, 
O'erturn the sepulchre, and burst the tomb, 
Pervade the precincts of perpetual gloom, 
IJonfound each adverse power beneath, above, 
A.nd bear the triumphs of Eternal love. 

Unfurl thy sails, thy pennon bright display ; 
Bid thy proud vessels plough the watery way, 
Fo every clime the joyful tidings bear, 
[n every land Messiah's way prepare ; 
Bid mountains sink, deep, delving valleys rise ; 
Clear the rude plain ; the rock's asperities 
Let Labour's hand to level smoothness bring. 
Haste ; and the dwellers on its heights shall sing 
Hosannas to the Lord ; the rolling sea 
Dn its wild waves shall bear their melody. 
Winds wait to waft the joyous echo round, 
Expectant isles salute the welcome sound ; 
Unmeasured continents their shores extend, 
rhe listening ear rude desert-wanderer's bend ; 
IJreation, burthen'd, waits deliverance nigh : 
Britannia, haste ! on wings of mercy fly ! 
Salvation to a ransom'd world dispense ; 
[Jnfold the treasures of Omnipotence ; 
fulfil the high behest, the charge assign'd, — 
Evangelists ! diseiphng all mankind, 
Send forth thy consecrated sons to claim 
Fhe purchased nations in Messiah's name ! 



MESSIAH^S KINGDOM. 
BOOK XiL 



ir best Friend is exalted to an everlasting mis and dominion over 
llie whole creation cf God ; and it. is but a little while befoie he 
will dispel all thoBe clouds and shades which at present iriterpoae 
themselves and eclipse his glory and majesty from them that love 
him. Though the work itselt' seems to us long and jrksome, though 
the ways of accomplishing it be unto us obscure, ol'tentimcs invi- 
sible, yet He bath iir.dortaken it, and will not give it over until 
bis enemies are every one brought to be hiis footstool. 

Dr. Given. 



ARGUMENT. 

Introductory Stanzas on the Mysteries of the Divine 
Government. — Faith anticipates the blessings in reserve 
for the world, yet looks with anxiety on its long-conti-i 
nued state of moral darkness. — Apostolical sketch of the 
Heathen character, still realized by a vast proportion ol 
the inhabitants of the globe. — Possibly permitted as ar,i 
awful exhibition of the nature and effects of sin, and o) 
the necessity and value of Redemption. — Philanthropy 
required, not only to bewail the state of mienlightenec 
nations, but to make sacrifices for their benefit. — Pent 
sive reflections on the desolations of past ages, as coni 
nected with eternity. — Present awful condition of thd 
Heathen world. — India. — Britain's culpable disregard 
of its religious instruction. — Africa. — Slavery. — Wili 
berforce. — Call of charity for increased efforts in behali 
of the nations still mysteriously left under idolatroui 
darkness. — Pi-ophetic assurances of the ultimate triumpl 
of truth. — Present favourable indications. — Light.— 
Martial attitude of the Church. — Sketch of a Missioni 
ary Soldier. — Transforming power of the Gospel, m 
stanced in the Pacific Islands.- — Missionary scene ij 
South Africa. — Trials and triumphs of the work. — Tn 
butary stanzas. — Glorious consummation of the schemr 
of redeeming mercy. — Earth and time. — Conclusion. 



MESSIAH'S KINGDOM 

BOOK XII. 



Who shall say, What hast thou done ? or who shall withstand thy 
judgment ? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish, 
whom thou hast made ? — ^Wisdom xii, 12, 



Bright on his sapphire throne, 
In majesty alone, 
Jehovah's glory, erst, the prophet saw : 
His trembling spirit sunk with awe, 

As on the fiery chariot roll'd, 
Like his who quaked when Sinai's law 

To Israel's sons announced of old, 
Bade all their shuddering tribes withdraw, 
Nor Moses dared the mount behold. 

Cherubic forms, whose rustling wings, 

Like mighty thunderings. 
Or murmurs of the perilous deep, 
When tempests o'er its troubled surface sweep, 
Disparted the transparent skies. 

Which glisten'd with intensest light. 
And onward, in their mystic flight, 
Drew wheels with thousand eyes. 

What meant that vision dread ? 
That car of gloiy, led 
By charioteers ineffable, unknown ? 
Why on his empyreal throne 

Came Mediatorial Majesty ? 
While bright the bow of promise shone. 
Effulgent on that dazzling sky : 
The prophet knew the sign, 
It spake of grace Divine, 



310 messiah'^s kingdoMc 

Attempering wrath's terrific flame. 
It bade his fears subside, 
His anxious heart confide 
In Him who rules, a Judge, yet bears a Father's name. 

Mysterious in those mystic forms, — 

Wings, and wheels, and eyes, intense, 
Flashing flames and whirlwind storms, — 
He reads that Providence 
Which, far from human sight, 
Dwells in omniscient light. 
Inscrutable, its path conceals, 
Or walks in tempest clouds and raging fires, 
iTet ceaseless animates the living wheels, 
The cherubim inspires. 

That Providence is thine-. 
Thy wondrous rule divine, 
Messiah ! who, in unapproached light, 

Accomplishest the purpose of thy gvace, 
Thy one design of wisdom infinite, 
Of love, of pity, to the rescued race ; 
Yet far from finite sense. 
Thy vast intelligence 
O'er varied being reigns, 
The world in its predestined course sustains! 
Awakes its thousand forms of life, 
Combines its parts, controls its strife; 
By energy of sovereign skill 
Subverts the adverse powers of ill ; 
Confounds the evil by the good, 
And sways the' unconscious multitude. 

Lord of all power and might, thy judgments lie 
Beyond the curious ken of mortal eye; 

Beyond the sight 
Of angels, basking in thy splendours bright ! 

O what a deep 
Of surging waters o'er thy counsels sweep ! 

Or, buried in the vast abyss, 

Where Silence seals her mysteries. 

They lie absorb'd beneath a sea, 
Calm, motionless, as, when rebuked by thee. 



BOOK XII. 31 i 

The Galilean wave in stillness died ; 

Nor current, on the undulating tide, 

Their course betokens through that ocean vdde. 

Yet all with thee is light ! 
Unbroken in thy sight 
Exists, ail perfect, thy stupendous plan ; 
And thy unening mind 
Pursues the end designed 
Through paths -which pierce the clouds, 
Through depths which darkness shrouds, 
Heights thy omniscient eye alone can sca.n, 

Creation moves obedient to thy word I 
Thy voice is heard 
Amid the circHng spheres : 
Thy guiding Spirit rules the whole, 
And suns and stars harmonious roll, 
Resplendent, in their glorious course, 
Propell'd by one impulsive force ; 
Thy hand unrears, 
In measureless eternity, thy throne ; 
And being's endless chain on thee depends alone ! 

Be silent, erring man, before the face 

Of Him whose courisels are too vast for thee I 
Frail child of dust, take thou thy destined place, 
And, prostrate, clothe thee witli humility ! 
God is a name thou canst not know, 
But as he deigns to show 
His backward glories to thy downcast eye i 
Suiiice for thee, that, mild, the peaceful bow 
Tempers his dajiziing majesty. 

Though lightings round him play, 
His uxidiscovered way 
Though the thick darkness shrouds ; 
Yet, piled upon the sohd land 
As adam3.ntine mountains stand, 
So stsinds his righteousness, — his truth transcends the 

clouds. 

Be patient faith and cheerful duty thine. 
So shait thou meet liis smile, and see the face Divine, 

27^ 



312 ~ bikssiah's kingdom. 

Yes, all with God is light ! Though clouds inresf: 
This cold and sterile earth; though from its breast 
Dense exhalations, inauspicious, rise, 
And taint the air, and hide the cheerful skies ; 
Yet soon that Sun which gilds the spheres above, 
With quickening beam shall o'er its sui'face move, 
Pierce the deep shades, the noxious mists disperse. 
And with His splendours fill the universe. 

These are thy visions, hallowed Faith ! To thee 
The distant glories of futurity- 
Stand forth, even now, in evidence Divine. 
The substance of the promised hope is thine ; 
Even now thy lofty spirit piames ifs wings. 
And triumphs in unutterable things : 
Yet, while thy piercing eye beholds the light 
Through Time's dark vista, from meridian height 
Dispensing beams of joy, and peace, and love, 
Transforming earth to holier realms above ; 
While yet Humility, to Heaven resigned, 
Owns erring man is impotent and blind ; 
While Piety adores that vast profound. 
That Sea of Knowledge which no shores can bound 5 
While, bending at Devotion's burning shrine. 
Love triumphs in Beneficence Divine ; 
While at the cross Contrition, suppliant, kneels, 
And Gilead'g balm the wounded spirit heals ; 
While kindling joy illumes the tearful eye 
For cancelled guilt: may yearning Charity 
Pour, unreproved, her interceding prayer. 
That earth's dark sons may kindred blessings share 1 
Raise, unrepress'd, her pondering thoughts above. 
And ask, in meekness, why supernal Love 
Yet shrouds his beams from earth's still lingering gloom ! 
Yet, while the shadowy margin of the tomb, 
By myriad tribes of alien spirits press'd 
Reveals no pathway to eternal rest ? > :T 

Forth in his course this globe's all-ruling light 
Marches in giant strength : the shades of night 
Recede before his pure, his joyous rays; 
Creation triumphs in the brilliant blaze, 
Her treasures to his fostering beams expand ; 
They cheer her forests rude, her cultured land ; 



BOOK XIL 313 

The mountain's brow his fervid influence feels, 
The balmy vale its sheltering breast conceals, 
Presents its fragrant herbs, its dewy flowers, 
To breathe and bloom beneath his genial powers. 

Shines nature's sun on each obscure recess, 
Each glen, and glade, and desert wilderness ? 
Alas ! what spell restrains celestial light ? 
Why, withering in the baleful shades of night. 
Yet pines the desolate earth, and bears impress'd 
The primal cui'se on her degraded breast ? 
Numbers among her outcast offspring, bands 
That sti'etch the sceptre wide o'er peopled landSj 
Nations that wild in lawless freedom rove, 
Haunt the rude mountain or the palmy grove, 
Where bleak the borean blast its tempest pours, 
Where gentle zephyrs light on southern shores ? 
From orient climes, to where the parting day 
O'er emerald ocean casts its crimson ray, 
Why lives the great Creator's form defaced ? 
While holy Truth, — as in the desert waste 
The bright oases spread their cultured green, — 
In lonoiy beauty smiles, with arid sands between ? 

Dark was that sketch the mighty Master drew, 
When Inspiration to his hallow'd view 
Presented man, degenerate, false, defiled ; 
The slave of sense, the sport of passions wild, 
Foe of his kind, abhorring and abhorr'd, 
Rebellious traitor to his rightful Lord ; 
Vain- glorious, proud, and wise in self esteem, 
Rejecting knowledge in its Source Supreme ; 
Averse from God, avei'se from heavenly light, 
Courting, for deeds of darkness, deepest night ; 
Bound, undiscerning, by Delusion's chain, 
Polluted wanderer through mazes vain ; 
Mazes of demon subtleties, that led 
To outlets in the regions of the dead, 
Where spirits roam unblest, whose wayward will 
Chose, in despite of righteous Heaven, the ill ; 
Delighted in the deed accursed, and sought. 
Through love of evil, those who evil wrought. 

Ah ! still that portraiture unchanged remains. 
Still sin its dire and deadly rule retains 



314 Messiah's kingdom. 

O'er Adam's sons, in Heathen darkness nursed, 

Sad tenants of extended realms accursed, 

Where yet no beams of Gospel glory break. 

No voice of herald trumpet sounds, " Awake!" 

Though long the dawn has streak'd the eastern sky, 

Though long the sun, in dazzling majesty 

Careering toward meridian height sublime, 

Yields indication to advancing time, 

That earth's brief period hastes ; though rolling spheres 

Urge to accomplish those predestined years. 

When, on his flaming throne, the Judge, reveal'd. 

Shall show the doom irrevocable seal'd, 

Of myriad tribes who now unconscious rove, 

Nor know the mystery of Eternal Love, 

Nor know the Spirit's voice ; but, blind and vain, 

Drag the dark fiend's inexorable chain • 

Bend to his yoke their servile necks , and bind 

His galling fetters on the immortal mind ; 

His impress on their darken'd spirits bear. 

His ruthless nature by their deeds declare. 

Like him, the hopeless prey of guilt and pain. 

Their graves disconsolate ; their labour vain. 

Dread Sovereign ! thou beneath whose searching eye, 
Thy own creations all uncurtain'd lie ; _ 
To whose intense, whose stainless light, alone, 
Sin in its dread deformity is known ; 
Who only know'st the creature, prone to stray, 
To droop, to linger in the upward way ; 
To fall, even from the point of bliss, betray 'd 
By demons, in celestial guise array'd ; 
Speaks not thy voice to man's presuming mind. 
Through these depress'd, degraded of his kind, 
Of sin's inveterate stain, of guilt accursed. 
Of death full arm'd, of paradise reversed ; ^ . 

Of wisdom's dimm'd, obliterated lines, : ; .. •" ' 

Of love perverted in its grand designs; ■ ' - s ' ' 
Of man, weak victim of Apollyon's thrall, 
Of glory, darken'd in his ruinous fall ? 

And speak'st thou not, Ineffable, whose ways 
Thine own clear eye in perfect light surveys, 
Who read'st alone thy whole stupendous plan ? 
Speaks not thy monitory voice to man 



BOOK XII. 315 

Of cautious \?igilance, of prayerful heed, 

Of hold on heaven, lest flattering foes raislead ; 

Of gratitude, for gifts of priceless worth, 

The pui'chased blessings of the second birth ; 

Wisdom, and peace, and purity, and love, 

Immortal hopes, and endless joys above, 

Through Him restored, whose rich, vmmeasured grace 

Paid the dread forfeit. Death, for man's oifending race ? 

Chastised, and meek in spirit, turn thine eye 
From lighter griefs, benign Philanthropy, 
To gaze on this sad spectacle, to weep 
For Adam's fallen sons, as scatter'd sheep 
Chased by the wolf of hell ! The scene survey 
Where, wide and far, his mangled victims lay, 
And, traversing this desolated earth, 
Give every sympathy of hallow'd birth 
Its full, deep current o'er thy pensive mind, 
To swell the stream of sorrow for thy kind ? 
'Tis thine to feel the pang, to heave the sigh, 
'Tis thine with loftier, holier charity, 
To buffet the stern tide, to stem the wave, 
The sinking child of Misery to save, 
And, jeoparded thyself, with generous hand, 
To grasp and draw the perishing to land. 

Oft hast thou walk'd with Wisdom, and thine eye 
Has shed sad tear,s, thy bosom heaved a sigh 
O'er this convulsed creation, o'er the strife, 
The travail, and the vanity of life ; 
Thou hast look'd on, while History fiU'd her page 
With fall of kingdoms, with the phrensied rage 
Of Murder, Anarchy, and War, whose hand 
Bore the bright falchion and the blazing brand, 
Laid peopled cities low in dust, and spread 
O'er realms renown'd the silence of the dead ; 
And thou hast wander'd o'er those realms, and sigh'd. 
Where Desolation scowl'd on human pride, 
Amid colossal fragments tower'd elate, 
O'er gaping tombs, in solitary state. 
Erected her rude throne, and razed, the while, 
Each proud memorial from the mouldering pile. 

Yet not for this woi'ld's glories pass'd away, 
Not that Ambition's crumbling relics lay 



316 Messiah's KINGDOM. 

Dishonour'd in the dust ; — that Nature reigns^, 

In solemn stillness, o'er deserted plains ; 

That forests in her deep recesses rise, 

And spread the growth of ages to the skies, 

Where safe the brinded tiger courts the shade. 

Nor human foes the serpent's haunts invade. 

Not that untrod, inhospitable lands 

Leave the young ostrich safe amidst the sands. 

That wilds, by man unpresenced, entertain 

Her meaner guests in unmolested reign : 

No, not for wrecks of human grandeur, strev/'d 

O'er earth forlorn, or nature's solitude, 

Heaves thy warm bosom with the generous sigh, 

Though there, unhonour'd. Heaven's bright majesty 

Shines in the sunlight, and distils the dews. 

Stretches the star-sprent firmament, renews 

Creation's energies with vernal showers, 

Embellishes the velvet glade with flowers, 

Piles, mass on mass, the mountain's giant height, 

Cleaves its broad breast, that crystal currents bright 

Down the dark chasm in lucid rills may flow, 

And bear rich blessings to the vales below. 

Yet nature's priest is absent ; to the skies 
No pure returns of glad thanksgiving rise. 
No voice of holy prayer, no anthems sweet, 
The ear of heaven in those lone regions greet : 
Man dwells not there, intelligent. Divine, 
Immortal hierophant of nature's shrine. 
Nor tribute to creation's Source ascends. 
Nor soul redeem'd in prostrate worship bends. 

But thou, Philanthropy, with pensive mind, 
Revolving scenes long cast by Time behind, 
Searchest for souls ; who, once in turbid strife, 
Rode the rude billows of tempestuous life. 
Scaled the proud summit of terrestrial fame, 
And gain'd, for one brief hour on earth, a name ! 
Where are they ? Mausoleums tell thee not I 
Who traced their blazonry of pride ? Forgot [ 
Their record is in dust ! Oblivion stood 
Marking their fruitless labours : as the Flood 
Tiding his billows o'er the shelyy strand. 
Erases frolic childhood's lines of sand, 



BOOK XIL 317 

So forth from central depths her veil she brought. 
And mock'd the immortality they sought. 

Where are they ? Though the heraldry of time 
Hath blurr'd terrestrial titles, some far clime 
Conceals the conscious spirit ; to thine eyes 
Earth's fleeting genesations spectral rise. 
For thou art wont in solemn mood to stray 
Near the dim precincts of that shadowy way 
Where Hades' realms beyond the grave extend, 
And, thither while thy pondering thoughts descend., 
Thou hear'st the groans of those to darkness hurl'd^, 
The prison'd spirits of that elder world, 
Who, proud and reckless, closed the captious ear, 
Though call'd, and warn'd, yet still refused to heaiv 
Till Judgment, rolling with tempestuous sweep, 
Indignant, plunged them in the dreadful deep. 

There, in that undefined, unmeasured shade^ 
Thou seest earth's multitudes of nations laid ; 
Armies and kings in shame and silence bear 
The badge of mightier conquest ; captives there, 
Lie Ashur and her companies ; the slain 
Surround her in their blood ; stern Elam's train 
Look from their graves, and even in hell elate. 
Enclose their monarch, proud in darkhng state, 

Egypt ! ambitious of eternal fame, 
There is thy record found ; there, clothed with shame^ 
Amid the' uncircumcised, thy hosts remain. 
Gone down with those their ruthless swords had slain^ 
Into that realm profound : the rusted blade 
Beneath the warrior's helm in quiet laid, 
No longer gleams, the terror of the world ; 
His conquering standard, endlessly upfurl'd, 
Speaks not of glory now, but shame and dread 
O'ercast his deeds of might, the worm is spread 
Beneath him in the grave^ and sad Despair, 
With pale and haggard look, sits ever brooding there. 

Nor, vision'd only, to thy aching eyes, 
Within that dark domain, majestic rise 
The terrible among the sons of might, 
From whom the nations, in their blood-track'd flight, 
Shrunk, as from blasting pestilence ; but there 
Alike the lofty and the mean repair, 



318 Messiah's kingdom. 

The conquering and the conquer'd ; — ali a. wait 
The sentence of interminable fate ; 
Sentence of dread, of banishment, of pain. 
To souls unpurgcd, whom sin's defihng stain 
Left all unmeet to climb that wondrous height ; 
Where spirits purified, in splendours bright, 
Circling the everlasting throne, ascend 
To Grod, their portion, origin, and end. 

Sad retrospect, o'er which the pensive sigli 
Heaves unavailing ! Turn, Philanthropy, 
Thy tearful orb on nearer scenes of wo ! 
In what dark streams life's turbid waters How, 
Where dull its current moves, to sense confined;, 
Nor bright intelligence inspires the mind ; 
Nor heaven-enkindled torch of sacred truth 
Directs in manhood, nor restrains in youth ; 
Nor hope its tinted iris bright displays. 
Wreathing with beauty forms of future days ; 
Nor love exerts its softly soothing power 
To calm the tempest of the passing liour ; 
Nor faith, in brilliant outline, shows, sublime, 
A land of rest beyond the toils of tune : 
Yet, such is life, where Adam's vagrant race 
Roam, unbless'd wanderers from celestial grace, 
Nor know themselves, nor Him who bore their curse, 
A dark enigma to the universe. 

Rank is the soil where pale cicuta* grows, 
Rank from its roots destructive poison flows, 
Rank the dense vapours of the stagnant lake. 
Whose reedy margin hides the speckled snake. 
Yet not the deleterious draught distill'd 
From humid plants, with noxious juices fiU'd, 
Nor pestilence, on dank and baleful wing. 
Rising from putrid swamps ; nor scorpion's stingj 
Nor dragons, hid in miry reeds that lie, 
Nor basilisk in blaze of summer sky, 
Nor baneful beams o'er torrid ether cast, 
Nor ague shivering in the arctic blast, 

* Water hemlock. The expressed juice of tins jilaiU waa ths 
poison by which state criminals were put to death in Athena. This 
was the deadly draught adminisiered to Sociiitos, 



BOOK XII. 319 

To man are fearful, as his own dark mind, 
Untrain'd to virtue, to instruction blind, 
"Where savage Ignorance, and demon Vice, 
Their victims to Destruction's paths entice ; 
And Death, and Hell, unambush'd, seek their prey, 
And thorns and scorpions throng the dreary way. 

Here, sacred Charity, thy sorrows shed ! 
Wide o'er the world is this deep darkness spread ; 
Still hell's dread tyrant holds infernal sway, 
And earth's corrupted sons his rule obey. 
Entangled yet beneath'his galling chain, 
Her myriad tribes in ruthless bonds remain ; 
Delusion's spells, and Error's vagrant arts. 
Entice to death the Heathens' alien hearts. 
Still steep'd in sensual indolence, and blind, 
Untutor'd in the majesty of mind, 
The human savage roams the wild, nor knows 
The* eternal Fountain W'hence his being flows j 
Nor knows himself above the grovelling train 
His hunger chases o'er the desert plain. 
Debased as they, yet less innocuous found. 
To man, fallen man, by sensuous passions bound. 
Alike to earth, to hell, by sin allied ; 
Unconscious borne by Time's resistless tide, 
Down the steep verge, untaught. What voice shall there 
The sovereign antidote for sin declare, 
The sentence of apostate souls reverse, 
Or snatch a deathless spirit from the curse ? 

From barbarous minds dishonour'd reason fades ; 
Yet moral midnight other spheres pervades, 
Where idol phantoms haunt the wilder'd brain^ 
And demons number, in their dheful train, 
Proud votaries of mystic science, skill'd 
Delusion's shrine of imagery to build. 
To lead the dazzled multitude astray, 
And urge the blind to tread the downward way ; 
There myriad footsteps still adventurous bend, 
There countless tribes to Death's dim shades descend. 
Beneath a gloom no idol dreams disperse, 
Dark, sad forebodings of the future curse, 
The sense of unpurged guilt, — though rites abhorr'd^ 
ind dread libations to hell's tyrant lord, 

23 



320 Messiah's kingdom. . 

Idolatry's infernal altars stain, 

And earth and heaven by impious acts prolaiie. 

Mourns pensive Sympathy o'er human grief? 
Flies heaven-born Love to Misery's prompt relief? 
Do holy ties of patriot Justice bind 
Earth's sceptred rulers to the tribes consign'd 
To their imperial svi^ay ? Does Albion own 
A conqueror's triumph o'er Hindostan's throne ? 
Does Albion bear the Christian's hallow'd namc^ 
And glows not on her cheek the flush of shamCj 
That unimparted by her fostering hand 
To myriad realms her sword, her laws command 
The boon of life, the gift of Heaven, remains ? 
That hell's dark king in gloomy terror reigns 
In uninvaded empire, wide and far, 
Beneath the light of her resplendent star ? 

Yes ! Albion's banners float in orient lands ; 
Her sails of commerce and her martial bands 
Gleam bright and gorgeous on the fervid plain^ 
And cleave the billows of the dark blue main ; 
She courts the skies where favouring zephyrs blow. 
The streams where broad, majestic watei-s flow ; 
The groves that high their palmy foliage wave, 
The golden sands that mountain currents lave ; 
The costly ruby, and the emerald bright, 
The sapphire steep'd in heaven's ethereal liglit . 
She plants the diamond in her jewell'd crown, 
Sees idol votaries tremble at her frov^-^n ; 
Yet from the mind, that gem of heavenly price^ 
Seeks not to purge the dimming stains of vice; 
Though rude enearth'd its beauteous lustre lies, 
Reflects no beam of glory from the skies, 
Nor form of grace in rich adornment wears, 
Nor standard value in th« balance bears. 

Yes ! India sighs, degraded and forlorn, 
Though proud Britannia lifts the towering horit 
O'er subject millions of her swartliy bands; 
Receives her tribute, reaps her fertile lands, 
Exacts her toil, invests her guarded coasts, 
Expends her treasures, of her glory boasts ; 
Yet leaves her in the deepest gloom of nighty 
Nor bids awake to viev,? the Gospel light. 



BOOK XIIo 321 

Nor seeks to chase demoniac powers to hell. 
But, undisturb'd, invites the fiend to dwell 
Beneath her banner'd shade ! Yes ! India sighs 
The suffering thrall of vanity and lies ; 
By sin debased, by ignorance beguiled, 
By Superstition's blood-stain'd rites defiled ; 
Beneath whose dark and pestilential shade 
The loveliest forms of blooming nature fade ; 
Whose breath corrupts the healthful springs of life. 
Whose reign is terroi', misery, and strife. 

Beneath that yoke Hindostan's myriads groan, 
Nor Albion heeds the deep, the piteous moan ; 
Nor lifts her sceptred hand to break the chain. 
Nor guides her vassals to the purer reign 
Of Gospel peace, of holiness, and love ; 
Nor speaks of Mercy bending from above 
To succour souls distress'd : no, all is dark ! 
Save where, uncheer'd by earthly suns, the spark 
Of Christian zeal with kindling lustre glows ; 
Where Charity her form benignant shows ; 
Where, tinarray'd in draperies of pride, 
With pilgrim's staff, and heart to heaven allied, 
The lonely Missionary's prayer ascends ; 
Where, calmly meek, his gather'd flock he tends, 
With patient footstep tracks the desert wild 
In search of wanderers by the foe beguiled; 
Endures meridian heats and damps of night, 
With prov/ling wolves sustains the dangerous fight , 
In steadfast faith his hallow'd course pursues, 
Through lov/ering clouds the distant day-star views ^ 
Like Abraham, walks before Jehovah's face, 
A beam from heaven to guide a dai'ken'd race. 

Yet Albion's sons for India's bondage sigh, 
For India, wrong'd, they lift the prayer on high ; 
Nor Albion's Church her holy prayer shall cease, 
Till hapless India hail her glad release 
From Superstition's toils ; till idol shrines, 
And demon forms, and hell's detested signs. 
In mingled ruin press the groaning soil ; 
Till, from the fight triumphant, rich in spoil 
From sin and hell, in arduous battle won, 
Return the warriors of the conquering Son, 



322 Messiah's kingdom. 

To show the Heathen by his cross subdued, 
A sprinkled, saved, rejoicing multitude, 
From death to life, from hell to heaven transferr'dj 
The hallow'd trophies of the living Word. 

Does Asia mourn, through all her w^ide domain, 
The deep, dread darkness of Delusion's reign? 
Weeps she beneath the Crescent's lurid beams, 
That still, portentous, through her midnight gleams ? 
Does Asia weep ? Alas ! what words of wo 
Can burthen'd Africa's sad sorrows show? 
Benighted, wandering, snared, enslaved, despoil'd, 
Through rugged paths her sable sons have toiPd, 
The prey of Avarice, the scoff of Pride, 
The common brotherhood of man denied ; 
Leagued with tlie beasts, to brutal labours doom'd, 
By tortures, scourges, chains, and deaths consumed; 
From home, from country, friends, and kindred torn, 
By pirate bands to ruthless bondage borne. 
From stranger isles to lift the imploring cry, 
To Him, who, touch'd with mortal misery, 
An earnest of approaching vengeance pours. 
In storm and tempest on those heaving shores ; 
Who shakes his curses from the whirlwind's wing. 
Bids murmuring thunders thi-eats of judgment bring; 
By blasting flames of livid hghtning shows, 
How fierce his wrath against oppression glows. 

Afflicted Africa ! what tears can speak 
Compassion for thy wrongs? On Europe's cheek 
Deep be the blush of shame, and copious rise 
Compunction's sorrows to her downcast eyes. 
But O what sorrows can that guilt efface ! 
The guilt of crimes against thy injured race! 
The guilt of blood for sordid avarice sold. 
The murderer's guilt, incurr'd through thirst of gold! 
O she should kneel, and pour to heaven the prayer, 
That righteous wrath may yet the guilty spare ? 
Ere yet, retributive, that wrath descend. 
And forfeit blessings from her bosom rend ; 
Ere yet the desolating tempest sweep 
Her blood-stain'd treasures to the yawning deepj 
And Afric's sons, in spectral horror rise, 
To scowl, exulting, o'er her miseries. 



BOOK xiis 323 

BritaTinia ! more than warrior trophies, a;fiin'd 
When hostile blood the field of conflict stainM 5 
More than thy navies, though in gallant pride 
Throughout the world in every port they ride ; 
More than thy power, thy commerce, or thy gold, 
Shalltruth and righteousness thy name uphold 5 
And more than scrolls of long ancestral race, 
Tho«e patriot pleaders shall thy senate grace. 
Who dare, with warm benevolence replete, 
The darkling frown of Mammon's brow to meet ^ 
Who, generous, fired with philanthropic zeal, 
Arouse the world for Afric's wrongs to feel ; 
To feel the holy rights of nature stain'd, 
The great Creator in his work profaned ; 
And kindle, while that Heaven-affronting crime 
Remains to blot the heraldry of time, 
A temper'd flame of stern, reproving light, 
To show the darkness of that world of night. 

There is a name, which, when the Cesars fail, 
Applauding multitudes shall raptured hail. 
There is a name which yet the grateful earth 
Binds to its bosom. Dost thou ask the worth 
Of wisdom and of virtue ? Seek the shade, 
Where, calm, in dignified retirement laid, 
The sainted patribt for his heaven prepares, 
And holds a truce with earth, its toils and cares ; 
Toils long endured, and arduous cares sustain'd, 
For suffering man in ruthless bondage chain'd ; 
For whom, in silver strain, his accents flow'd. 
For whom his soul Vv^ith v^^armest ardours glow'd : 
Whose cause he pleaded in his country's ear. 
And Afric's wrongs bade Albion's senate hear; 
Nor Albion's listening senate heard in vain, 
Truth's purest eloquence inspired his strain ; 
His country's Genius echoed to his voice, 
And bade the depths of Afric's wilds rejoice ; 
Snapp'd with indignant hand the ponderous chain, 
And hurl'd her threaten'd thunders o'er the main. 

Calm be thy rest, bless'd spirit ! As the sun, 
When his meridian course, resplendent, rvm, 
Descends illustrious to the emerald deep, 
On whose broad breast his vermeil splendours sleep; 
28* 



324 Messiah's kingdom* 

As bright, as pure, as glorious, be the rays 

That shed their lustre o'er thy evening days I 

May holy visions bless the tranquil scene, 

And smiling spirits from that land serene, 

Invite to higher joys, to purer love, 

While angel lyres, soft sounding from above. 

With hallow'd songs thy passing spirit greet, 

And bear it, blissful, to the Saviour's feet ! 

Yet, vi^hile thy jewell'd crown, in lustre bright, . 

Thy palm of holy victory waves in sight, 

Might Heaven, well pleas'd, the blameless wish allow,, 

Fain would thy country round thy honour'd brow 

A wreath of recent verdure, bright, entwine. 

Even now, in hope achieved, thy grand design, 

Joyous she hails, and longs to share with thee 

The generous triumphs of that victory, 

When neither torturing scourge, nor clanking chain, 

Nor slave oppress'd, beneath Britannia's reign, 

Shall blast the beauteous islands of the deep, [sweep. 

And round her sea-girt throne bid scowling judgments 

Yes, WiLBERFORCE ! the patriot's claim is thine ! 
High in immortal heraldry shall shine 
The holy record of thy honour'd name ! 
Humanity awards the wreath of fame ! 
And nobler styles than banncr'd warrior's bear, 
"To future ages shall thy worth declare. 
Friend of the friendless ! when the captive's yoke. 
From his gall'd neck by lingering Justice broke, 
Shall loose his tongue, and set his spirit free. 
Thy name revered his grateful theme shall be. 
When healthful knowledge cheers his opening mind^ 
And ranks him on the scale of human kind, 
Brings forth his spirit to the beams of day, 
To brighten in celestial wisdom's ray ; 
Then, when intensest glows his soul's desii-e. 
And purest thoughts his wakening powers inspire ; 
Then shall he thankful bless the Name Divine, 
And emulate philanthropy like Thine. 

Unbless'd with heavenly wisdom, life is vain, 
A Avhirlwind passing o'er the desert plain, 
Whose rude and boisterous wing, with sweeping blas^^ 
Hurtles a transient tempest, and is past. 



BOOK XII. - 325 

So, rock'd in elements of stormy strife, 

Flits tiie dai'k vapour of barbarian life ; 

So, fierce and frowning, sinks in shades away 

Idolatry's perturb'd and painful day ; 

So Superstition's meteor hopes expire 

Explosive sparklings of unreal fire ; 

So proud Presumption feels, though sighs suppress'd . 

Conceal the labour of the anxious breast ; 

So feel, and live, and pass to realms unknown, 

The mighty multitude ; each circling zone 

Of this dark world the chain of bondage bears, 

And misery, dread entail of sin, declares ; 

Sin, whose fell grasp the struggling earth detains, 

And still to death o'er captive myi'iads reigns. 

Philanthropy ! whose hallow'd beam benign 
Reflects the Ught of charity divine, 
Here let thy pondering spirit prayerful rest ; 
Here heave the sigh, and smite the anxious breast ; 
Here ask thy heart, while Misery pours its groan, 
And thy still ear receives the desolate moan. 
Low murmuring, from the margin of the grave ; — - 
Here ask thy heart, Can pitying Mercy save? 
Can Charity on buoyant pinions soar. 
Destruction's dark and dreary realms explore ? 
The light of life, the balm of peace convey. 
Reclaim the lost, turn midnight gloom to day ? 
Why lingers, then, the messenger of grace ? 
Lingers, while Adam's uninstructed race. 
As autumn leaves deciduous, fall, and lie. 
Beneath the scowlings of a wintry sky 1 
O, long, too long, that harbinger hath stay'd ; 
Even Love hath linger'd, Charity delay'd ; 
Else had not earth till now a desert seem'd, 
Nor man, immortal, by the cross redeem'd, 
Remain'd the outcast slave of sin and sense, 
Marr'd transcript of Divine intelligence, 
Deserted temple of a hallow'd Guest, 
A haunt, by spirits false and foul possess'd, 
A wretched ruin, loathsome and defiled, 
A base apostate, a barbarian wild. 

Righteous art thou, O Lord ! Yet who shall dare 
To scrutinize thy judgments? Who prepare 



326 MESSIAH*S KINGDOM. 

To urge his venturous progress through the deep, 
Tracking thy chariot wheels ? With backward sweep 
Thy wondrous course, lo, refluent waters hide; 
Presumption, whelm'd beneath the boundless tide. 
Pays the stern forfeit of temerity ; 
Faith, calm, svibmissive, pure, confides in thee. 
Adoring the' Unsearchable, though clouds 
Pavilion him in night, though tempest shrouds 
The march of his omnipotence, nor ray 
Of beamy lightning tracks his secret way. 

Ineffable ! to thy omniscient eyes 
At once unveil'd thy mighty purpose lies ! 
'Tis thine, Eternal, Infinite, to scan 
Thy whole, unbroken, vast, stupendous plan I 
What Love design'd, unerring Wisdom guides ; 
Thy boundless mercy o'er thy works presides ; 
Thy power controls opposing force, and bends 
Reluctant evil to benignest ends ; 
Nor asks thy goodness from the creature aught 
But what thy love bestows ; yet pondering thought 
Revolves, in vain, the mystery of thy ways ! 
Enough ! Eternity's effulgent blaze, 
O'er the pure spirit's recreated sight. 
Shall pour its whole intensity of light ! 
Transparent then thy glorious woi*k shall shineo 
With perfect kr/owledge, perfect praise combine ; 
Creation, form'd and govern'd by thy hand, 
A monimient of might, of wisdom stand ; 
And all thy works, consentient, loud proclaim. 
In everlasting songs, the triumphs of thy Name ! 

Yet not for ever shall intrusive shade, 
Even here on earth. Light's holy sphere invade ; 
Not ever thus shall adverse powers assail, 
Or prosperous craft against the truth prevail. 
No ; for the kingdom is the Lord's ! That word, 
Proclaim'd in heaven, by Ustening angels heard ; 
That word, announced by Jadah's royal lyi'e. 
When Inspiration swept its chords of fire ; 
That word shall stand, though heaven in smoke decay, 
Though solvent fires on earth's foundations prey ; 
The Heathen, long by tyrant lords oppress'd, 
At length beneath Messiah's sway shall rest : 



BOOK XII. 327 

Earth's utmost bounds his heritage shall provCj 
Or spurn'd in anger, or subdued by love. 

Yes, high enthroned on Zion's sacred hill, 
Messiah's hand sustains his sceptre still ; 
His purchased kingdom rules in power Divine, 
Injustice awful, as in grace benign. 
Beneath his kindUng wrath what foe shall stand ? 
What might resist the terrors of his hand ? 
Though long in patient clemency forborne. 
Soon shall the withering crown of Pride be torn 
From his presumptuous brow ; in darkness laid, 
Not long shall Antichristian pov/ers invade 
The honours of the everlasting throne ; 
But earth and hell the puissant Conqueror own, 
Exultant share the triumphs of his reign, 
Or drag in endless wrath the exiled captive's chain, 

Lo, from His Church goes forth his rod of power : 
Expectant nations, eager, wait the horn' 
When hell's dread chains a hand unseen shall break, 
A voice from heaven their midnight slumbers wake, 
A hallow'd energy their spirits fill, 
A sacred impulse bend the stubborn will, 
A light from purer skies illume the blind, 
With beams of knowledge cheer the vacant mind, 
Disperse the gloom that shrouds with guilty dread 
The dark idolater's unshelter'd head, 
Unfold the visions of a brighter sphere. 
And bid immortal life on death's dim verge appear. 

The nations wait : the Spirit's energy 
Pours from the weary, labouring breast the cry 
For renovated life : a holy birth. 
As orient dew drops gem the sparkling earth, 
Even now amid the arid waste appears ; 
Even now his wings o'er dark and distant spheres 
The' Eternal Sun in rising radiance spreads, 
And light and life o'er noxious chaos sheds, 
The bitter springs of stagnant nature heals, 
To parching lips health's vital fount unseals, 
Bids living verdure clothe the desert drear; 
Commences, bright, the' acceptable year, 
The hallow'd dawn of liberty and peace. 
The joyous jubilee of glad release 



328 Messiah's kingdom. 

From direst bonds, by Sin and Satan laid 
On captive spirits.^ by their arts betray'd : 
Reveals Salvation's glorious morning broke, 
The dragon foil'd beneath Messiah's stroke. 



The true light now shineth.— St. Jolin, 

What shadows cannot glorious light dispel ■? 
When first from heaven its radiance fell, 
Lo ! darkness plunged into the deep ; 
Swift o'er the soundless gulf of hell, 
His rushing wings were heard to sweep 
Above, the rich, full-toned, harmonious swell 
Of angel lyres their raptures told, 
Sweet music burst from chord and shell. 
As broad a.nd bright its radiance roU'd , 
They saw, before the quickening ray. 
Void, formless chaos haste away, 
And heaven its bright expanse di^y.iay ; 
Creation hail the rising day ; 
They heard fair Nature's voice, rejoicing, say, 
" What shadows cannot glorious light dispel ■?" 

Light ! emblem of the purity Divine ! 
Thy penetrating beams refine 
The dross of this disorder'd earth ; 
The bright blue heavens resplendent shine 
When thou in glory issuest forth ; 
The sun is but a charioteer of thine ; 
And the meek moon, through yonder hyaline 
That moves so gx-acefully, receives thy gifts benign. 

Emblem of Heaven's, beneficence, fair light ! 

Thou scatterest blessings in thy flight ! 
The wing of morn receives its hues from thee, 

When, rising from the emerald sea, 

She decks the earth with dew drops bright. 

And every flower that charms the sight. 

Vermeil, saifron, pearly white, 

Commingling colours infinite, 



BOOK XII. 329 

Purple violet, blushing rose,— 
Every beauteous plant that grows 
In dell or shade, 
Or sunny glade, — 
Receives from thee its grace, benign, celestial light ! 

Pure effluence from the Fount of being ! thou 
Nor bind'st alone on Nature's brow 
Her coronal of various dyes ; 
Through thee life's streams instinctive flow^ 
In all their vigorous energies ; 
Languid and drooping beneath polar skies, 
In torpid gloom she lies, 
Her wheel revolving slow : 
L)istant from thee, fair light, her sickly pulse is low, 

n thy eclipse is sori'ow ; in thy beams 

The halcyon home of pleasure seems : 

Wisdom arrays herself with thee : 

Joy brightens in thy lucid streams ° 

And heaven's own stainless sanctitVj 
rhee, of itself not unmeet symbol, deems ; 

Thy splendour o'er the seraph gleams. 

Yet higher, — O transcendent height ! — 

Thou, as a robe, around the Infinite, 

Shrouding his glory's blaze, 
Pourest intense, insufferable rays ; 

Thy dazzling form Jehovah v/ears ; 

And, lo ! his oracle declares 

That God himself is Light ! 

Light Uncreate ! the mantling mists of hell 

Soon shall thy glorious beams dispel I 

Swift to its subterrene abode 
Shall pass the night that on creation fell, 
When sin and wrath the fallen world o'erfiow'd. 

Again this dark, disorder'd earth, 

In pristine purity shall shine, 

And beauteous in its second birth, 

Reflect the Light Divine. 

That sun is up whose beams shall trace 

Each long- lost lineament of grace, 
Fach faded tint of loveliness restore. 
That Sun is up whose beams shall set no more, 



330 Messiah's kingdom. 

Whose quenchless rays shall scatter wide 
Delusion, Falsehood, Error, Pride, 
The troublous storms of passion quell, 
And chase Night's dread chimeras back to hell. 
Hail ! Uncreated Light ! 
Thy stainless splendours bright 
Shall pierce the shades of death, sepulchral gloom dispel ! 

Shine, Everlasting Sun ! 

Thy glorious circuit run ! 
Wide dispread thy healing wings, 
Cluickening earth awaits thy power 5 
Lo, the new creation springs ! 
Bends the branch, and blooms the flower. 

Light itself but shadows thee ; 

Shine till all thy glory see ! 



On tented field what veteran warrior sleeps. 
When loud and long the clangous trumpet sweeps 
Its charge of battle through the echoing hills ? 
When, fierce, the foe with shout of onset fills 
Reverberant heaven with dissonance and dread ? 
No ; quick the crested helmet o'er his head 
Waves its black plumes ; with sword and corslet bright. 
And full-orb'd shield emboss'd, for fearful fight 
Instant equipp'd, beneath his captain's eye, 
With march intrepid, on to victory 
All undismay'd he goes : nor life is dear, 
Nor danger terrible ; his eye, his ear. 
His soul, by one absorbing aim confined, 
Casts every thought but conquest far behind. 

So starts the Church, aroused by martial cry 
Of mustering hosts in arras : her Captain's eye 
Signals to battle, where the proudest foes. 
Though scathed by burning thunders, yet oppose 
Messiah's conquering sway : around his sign 
His call'd, his chosen, faithful friends combine ; 
In might invincible they nobly wield 
The sword of temper and the sevenfold shield ; 
Fix'd in the firm resolve to sleep no more 
While hell's dread hosts their banded legions pout ; 



BOOK XII. 331 

While blood-stain'd idols haunt the withering earth, 

While Superstition rears her demon birth, 

While Antichrist his hydra form extends, 

Or man, debased, to grovelling folly bends ; 

While unsubdued Messiah's latest foe, 

Or earth its curse by sin and suffering know. 

Not like earth's warriors, bounding from afar 
O'er sanguine plains, deep-plough'd with ii-on car 
Of Slaughter, yoked to Tumult's snorting steeds, 
Eager for blood, and where the trumpet leads 
Proud prancing to the fight ; not wrapt in vest 
Of gory crimson, nor with plumed crest 
"Waving its gorgon terrors in the wind, 
Dread ministers of wrath to scourge mankind : — ■ 
Not such Messiah's sacramental bands ; 
No, swords of other temper their purged hands 
From their liege Lord receive ; far other fight 
Than sternest conflict of terrestrial might 
Emmanuel to his marshall'd hosts assigns ; 
Bright on their ranks no blazon'd banner shines. 
Nor trump sonorous wakes to warlike fires. 
Nor ardour kindles but what Heaven inspires. 
A viewless Leader summons to the field ; 
A prize from all but Faith's clear eye conceal'd 
Awaits the victory in that arduous fight. 
That glorious triumph o'er the hosts of night. 

Earth, bound to sense and time, no wreath bestows 
On hallow'd enterprise, whose ardour knows 
No conflict but with adverse pov/ers unseen ; 
She spurns its toils, accounts its triumphs mean, 
And, deep immersed in transitory cares, 
No sympathy with man, immortal, shares ; 
No lofty scenes attract her downcast eyes, 
No thought expands o'er human destinies 
Link'd with eternal life, or endless wo. 
Soldier of Christ! her worthless crown forego ! 
'Tis thine to bear the cross with Kim who bled 
On its rude height ; who bow'd his suffering head, 
A Man of Sacrifice. 'Tis thine to share 
The martyr spirit that transfix'd him there; 
Like him thyself for others to forego, 
Detach'd from earth, and dead to things below ; 

39 



332 Messiah's kingdom. 

Awake to Heaven's inspiring call alone, 

Blind but to splendours from the' Eternal Throne ; 

Purged from terrestrial dross, and prompt to rise 

In holy converse to the bending slues ; 

To catch from seraph flames the glow of love ; 

Swift, duteous zeal from angel powers above ; 

Like them employ'd, bless'd minister of grace^ 

On Mercy's errands to the wandei'ing race. 

Soldier of Christ ! thy veteran valour triedy 
Must oft have proved its temper by the side 
Of Him who wrestled with the powei'S of hell ; 
Beneath whose might their leader, vanquish'd fell ; 
A sharer with the Man of griefs, thy soul 
Must know to buffet the stern tempest's roll ; 
Dauntless, though danger frown or death be nigh, 
Prepared to prove thy spirit's constancy 
Beneath the sneer, the taunt, the scourge, the sword^ 
The wild, rude floods of persecution, pour'd 
From dragon fiends, or powers of death, averse 
From this dark world to heave the primal curse^ 
Themselves enslaved, who yet delight to bind 
The chains of ruthless bondage on mankind. 
To meek endurance train'd, and patient love, 
Transcript of Him, self-emptied, from above, . - 
The servant, lowly, gentle, kind, must tread ., - ' 
The hallow'd path his gracious Master led ; ^ ■ 
Whose sympathies in uncheck'd pity fell 
On recreant guilt, whose love, ineffable, 
In softest yearnings of compassion moved 
Toward wailing Grief or Error, blind, that roved 
Far from the path of peace ; whose wisdom taught 
Even simplest babes, and, condescending, brought 
Divine instruction to the humblest ear 
That meekly bow'd, his gracious words to hear. 

For lofty aim design'd, and bold emprise, 
Beneath what tutoring dishipline shall rise 
These sons of moral might ? these spirits high. 
Who scale earth's pinnacles, and, bold, descry 
Eternity beyond ? What breath shall raise 
These sparks of hallow'd ardour to a blaze ? 
Ignite these holy flames, in quenchless love 
To burn and shine below ; then mount above. 



BOOK xn. " 333 

To blend with brighter fervours in the skies, 

And, pure, toward Fontal Light in endless radiance rise ? 

Ah ! not the veteran warrior's sternest rules, 
Or treasured lore of philosophic schools, 
Can mould the spirit to that form Divine ; 
The meek, the firm, the strong, the soft, combine ; 
With valorous virture yielding kindness blend ; 
To sternest truth love's gentlest accent lend ; 
Raise holy passion in a soul subdued. 
At home with God ; amid the multitude, 
A teacher and a friend, — a guide, whose light, 
Falling like heaven's own beams, serenely bright. 
Exhibits Virtue in her angel guise. 
And tracks her hallow'd progress to the skies- 
He, only He, who, glorious, bears on high, 
Symboll'd in fires, the sevenfold energy ; 
Whose sacred unction feeds each vital flame, 
In form distinct, yet still in source the same : 
He from whose throne the copious blessing flows • 
Whose bounteous hand the varied gift bestows ■ 
Who calls, and seals, and hallows, and prepares 
His angel ministers to glory's heirs : 
The' Eternal Spirit, — He, in boundless grace, 
Ordains his heralds to the fallen race : 
He arms his chosen warriors for the fight, 
Arrays them in his panoply of light, 
Oirds with his sword, instructs their hands to wield 
The two-edged falchion, and the bright-orb'd shield. 
Nerves with his strength invincible, inspires 
Their burning spirits with his altar fires, 
Pours on their heads his unction from above, 
Baptizes with his own supernal love. 

On names to earth unknown his grace descends ; 
The formless vessel to his mould he bends ; 
Brings through the pangs of second birth, the strife 
Of earnest conflict for immortal life. 
The sin-stain'd spirit's agony of prayer, 
The faith that seals its blood-bought pardon there ; 
Breathes the deep peace, from Godhead reconciled, 
The filial cry, that speaks the' accepted child, 
The light, the love, that o'er the hallow'd soul 
: With plastic power exert their sweet control ; 



334 Messiah's kingdom. 

The servant with the Master's form impress, 
That, bright, remodell'd in his holiness, 
His doctrine in his blameless life may shine, 
An unstain'd mirror of the truth Divine. 

Such messengers at first Messiah sent, 
To teach the world his truth : no blandishment 
Of earth's adorning clothed their simple speech ; 
Yet came the word with power ; 'twas strong to reach 
The slumbering conscience, in its dark retreats 
Of sophistry and pride, to shake the seats 
Of gorgeous majesty, from demon shrines 
To rend the wi-eaths of ages, stay the signs 
Of muttering spirits, break the charmed spell 
Wrought by delusion in the depths of hell. 
Such were the men, and such their deeds of might ! 
As speeds through argent heaven his dazzling flight 
The pure and glorious sun, so, onward they, 
Mantled in truth, sublimely held their way, 
Till bow'd the world before the sacred sign, 
And ransom'd nations bless'd the light Divine. 

Before that sign again the world shall bend ; 
Again the Church her conquering armies send ; 
Her men of apostolic faith, of zeal, 
Through every clime to spread the truths they feel, 
To win the field from Satan's tyrant sway, 
Earth's trophies at Messiah's feet to lay. 
And now, even now, the solemn trumpet's sound 
Calls Zion's forces to the tented ground ; 
And, lo, in mailed garb her warriors throng, 
To meet the front of battle, broad and strong 
In phalanx firm against the foe to stand, 
To bear the war through each unconquer'd land. 
Till, east, and west, and north, and south, subdued, 
O'er spire-crown'd cities, desert mountains rude, 
The blood-stain'd standard wave from every height, 
In one hosanna every voice unite. 

Soldiers of Christ ! ye holy men of prayer, . \ 
Ye men of sacrifice, who nobly dare 
The dangers of the field ! 'tis yours to see 
The present pledge of future victory ; 
In barbarous lands the primal spoils to win, 
From hell's dread empire, and the hydra sin ; 



BOOK XIL 335 

Sweet sounds of peace thraugh desert lands to spread ; 
To show the king of terrors captive led ; 
To bear triumphant from the monster's sting, 
Myriads of spirits thrall'd. 'Tis yours to bring 
The trophied shield, the conquering banner crown'd 
With earliest laurels from the well-fought ground. 

The Gospel, form'd for man, on man bestows 
A balm remedial for the direst woes 
By Heaven inflicted on this sin-stain'd earth ■: 
It gives monition of his glorious birth ; 
Exalts his grovelling nature to the scale 
Of angel intellect, and bids him hail 
His bright copartnership in endless life 
With those unsinning spirits ; vi^akes the strife 
For glory, virtue, purity sublime ; 
Lifts the dim curtain up from death and time 5 
And shows, consummated in brighter spheres, 
The' unravell'd mysteries of this vale of tears. 
It gilds the present scene ; with kindly art, 
Unbinds those sympathies that, mild, impart 
Their holy tenderness to suffering life ; 
Subdues tumultuous Passion's stormy strife ; 
To social rule unlutor'd rudeness bends ; 
Restrains the mighty, and the weak defends ; 
With justice nerves the arm of Law ; surrounds 
The throne with strength, and gives to Power its bounds. 
Till every part, beneath its v/ise control, 
Subserves the beauteous order of the whole. 

Remodell'd by this wand of power, this rod, 
Borne by commission'd hands, what works of God 
Has this dark world disclosed ! Its deserts wild 
Have bloom'd in beauty ; bright and soft have smiled. 
In its rude glens, the myrtle and the rose : 
Where dragons lay, in perilous repose, 
Now springs the healthful blade ; a tide of life 
Comes on the gale where pestilence, late rife 
With mortal plagues, disburden'd her dank wing ; 
Cheer'd by heaven's light, unwonted wild notes ring 
Through the deep forest's gloom ; on mountain streams, 
Translucent, fall bright Morning's beauteous beams 5 
Fresh night dews sparkle on the thirsty ground ; 
Creation wakes, and Nature smiles around, 

9.9* 



336 Messiah's kingdom. 

Won from the wastes of rude barbarian night, 
Such scenes of moral beauty bless the sight. 
Sin's deadliest haunts the Gospel power assails. 
And, lo, the talisman of truth prevails ! 
Detested demons quit their trembling prey ; 
In dust defiled deserted idols lay ; 
Man, grovelling, brutal, feels a sacred flame 
Inspire his kindling spirit ; generous shame 
For acts and thoughts of evil leads his soul 
To higher purpose, and the just control 
Of opening reason ; while the living light, 
Direct from heaven pour'd on his wondering sight, 
Discovers depths of guilt, and heights of grace, 
The destinies of Adam's deathless race ; 
Transforms the slave of passion, vice, and crime, 
To bear, erect, the godlike port sublime ; 
To feel the high prerogative of mind ; 
To live a man, a blessing to his kind. 

From shores where Freedom dwells, and Gospel light, 
Where holy Truth unveils her radiance bright, 
Glides the proud vessel to the distant strand : 
With eager footstep, on that stranger land, 
Alights the messenger of peace. His eye 
The index of his heart's philanthropy : 
Sweet incense greets him from the verdant plain. 
O'er glistering coral breaks the bright blue main ; 
Heaven's placid glory on its bosom sleeps, 
And shelving rocks, and rugged mountain steeps 
Reflect their rude magnificence below ; 
Bright down their rifted sides fresh fountains flow. 
Fair Nature, joyous, through her palmy groves, 
With sportive zephyr, gay and healthful roves, 
Crests the tall pinnacle, and clothes the dell ; 
Wakes sylvan tones from echo's murmur-ing shells 
Luxuriant strews her blooming treasures round, 
Treads with light footstep o'er the enamell'd ground, 
Unfurls her broad bananas to the gale. 
And with her tangled banian shades the vale. 

Creation blooms in loveliness ! His sight 
Rests on a paradise of soft delight. 
But where is man, its lord, for whom these skies 
Dispense their blessings? He whom earth supplies* 



BOOK XII. 337 

Prom its exuberant boim ty ? WJiere is he, 

The last, best, noblest work of Deity? 

Shame kindles on the stranger's cheek ; surprise. 

And grief, and pity, all tumultuous rise, 

While, sunk in deep debasement, dark and wild, 

To brutes degraded, as the fiend defiled. 

Comes forth the tenant of a world so fair i 

Yet yields not love nor pity to despair ; 

The rod of power is in his hand ; it saves 

From gulfs more terrible than Egypt's waves ; # 

Lo, at Jehovah's word its might he proves. 

Hell owns the sign, and from its haunt removes ! 

How changed the scene ! The savage, nursed in blood, 
Impure, and treacherous as the changeful flood 
Circling his island home ; the slave of sense. 
Degraded outcast from intelligence, 
Sport of malignant demons, thrall of fear, 
Devoted spoil of death ; on whose dull ear 
No music sounded ever from the skies, 
Though circling spheres breathed ceaseless harmonies ; 
From whose cold breast no raptured fervours came. 
Though o'er the emerald deep his wings of flame 
The broad, bright sun in dazzling splendour spread; 
Though, mild, at eve, night's silver planet led 
Her host of sparkling stars ; though gentle rain 
And copious dews refresh'd the thirsty plain ; 
Heaven's bounteous gifts who all unconscious shared. 
Nor holy offering, nor meet pra-ise prepared, 
Unhonour'd, undesired, unknown the Name, 
Unseen the Hand whence all his blessings came ; 
Unfelt, and unbewail'd, the spirit's curse, 
The curse of sin ; the heart from heaven averse, 
Cnform'd for humble prayer, for holy love, 
Untaught to seek, to hope for joys above, 
Unsolaced 'mid the rankling thorns of cai'e, 
Dark, cheerless, trem.bling victim of despair ! 

How changed the scene ! That fierce barbarian wild 
Has heard the Gospel summons. Now, a child, 
Meekly he yields him to its hallo w'd sway ; 
Unfolding intellect receives the ray 
3f pure and living light ; unknown desire, v 

Fear, hope, unfelt till now, his heart inspire j ' ": 



33S Messiah's kingdom. 

The new creation's dawning glories rise 
In holy beauty on his wondering eyes; 
Now heaves his breast the penitential sigh, 
Now pours his soul the pleading prayer on high; 
Now swells the song of praise, the holy hymn, 
Reechoed sweet by answering cherubim, 
Whose hallow'd joys to higher raptures rise 
When contrite tears suffuse the mouinier's eyes. 

Now breathes the Sabbath's saintly silence round; 
HH eager footsteps press the hallow'd ground, 
And lowly prostrate in the house of prayer, 
His conscious spirit owns that God is there. 
Now reigns Jehovah in his works confess'd, - \ 

Heaven sheds new splendours, verdant earth, impress'd 
With footsteps of Divinity, i-eveals 
A Presence unperceived till now ; he feels 
Surrounded by that strange, that wondrous might 
That piled the mountains, rear'd the rough rock's height I 
He hears that voice in solemn silence sound 
Which binds the deep within its destined bound; — • 
'Tis God in majesty ! 'Tis wisdom, power I 
Yet love, presiding in that awful hour. 
Whispers of heavenly grace ; a Father's hand 
Propitious, rules the sky, the sea, the land. 
With filial joy his soul, exulting, springs 
From doubt's dark confines ; on Devotion's wings, 
For him unfledged so long, he soars to raise 
In Heaven's according ear sweet sounds of praise, 
God, his Creator, Father, Lord, to own, 
Too long unhonoui-'d, unadored, unknown. 
Yet now at length confess'd his Guide and Friend, 
His being's Hope, Original, and End. 

With healthful beam o'er that untutor'd mind 
Now cheering Science sheds its light refined ; 
Deep furrow'd by Instruction's patient toil, 
The seeds of knowledge on that rugged soil 
Send forth the vigorous blade ; domestic ties 
Now bind the soul in life's sweet charities; 
Stern, sullen Strife foregoes his hateful sway ; ' 

Peace, Industry, and Order, bland, display, 
To bless his prosperous path, their rising light ; 
Biacordant elements, reform'd, unite 5 



BOOK XII. 339 

And'social man, by Christian grace renew'd, 
Reclaim'd from savage, selfish solitude, 
in kindly compact lives, the general friend, 
His law benevolence, and heaven his end. 

It was thy work, Messiah ! Thou wast seen 
Treading the waves amid those islands green; 
Thou didst ascewd the tossing bark, and sail > ■ ■' 

With thy disciples through the perilous gale ; 
Thou didst to that deserted region come. 
Where " Legion" wander'd by the silent tomb ; 
Thy pity met him, and thy voice of power 
His fetters broke ; from that delightful hour 
Clothed, at thy feet he sits ; or joyful goes 
To publish Him from vi^hom salvation flows ; 
Extols with healthful mind thy power benign. 
And bids the listening isles receive thy grace Divine. 

Earth, dark and sterile though it be, presents 
Such renovated life,— isles, continents, 
Climes nurtured bright by southern suns, or where 
Through arctic circles wheels the sparkling Bear ; 
Where vast Pacific rolls with mountain sweep, 
And Eden blooms amid the watery deep ; 
Where Afric spreads its sullen wastes of sand, 
Where stern Atlantic laves Columbia's strand. 
Where costly gems in orient mountains glow, 
And glistering pearls enrich the floods below :— 
There stands, confess'd by more than mortal sign, 
The mighty agency of truth Divine ; 
There man, the monument of Gospel grace. 
Revives to share the glory of his race. 
Spurns the dull yoke of ignorance and sense, 
And springs to happier life and lost intelligence. 

Yes, Africa! even thy benighted skies 
At length behold the purple morning rise ! 
Thy glowing ether streams with radiant light, 
And floods of amber steep thy mountains' height ; 
Mountains on v/hose rude tops the deepening shade 
Of midnight darkness, from creation laid. 
Has chill'd the pale and sickly plants that grow 
TJnscented in thy rugged vales below ; 
Pernicious poisons on thy plains distill'd. 
Thy tainted breezes with infection fill'd, 



340 Messiah's kingdom. 

Its cheerless gloom o'er withering nature spread, 

And wide the nfioral scene immersed in shadows dread. 

As sails the cloud from whose impending shade 
The dread artillery of the tempest play'd, 
When rising winds dispart its massive piles, 
And show the pure, ethereal calm that smiles 
In the pure vault above ; so rolls the gloom 
That wrapp'd thee in the shadows of the tomb 
Prom thy long-curtain'd skies ; by Him dispell'd 
In whose strong grasp the winds of heaven are held. 
He gently breathing o'er the formless mass, 
As erst o'er chaos, swift the shadows pass, 
Sweet gales of grace sin's stagnant mists disperse. 
Disclose the light that cheers the universe, 
Andlo! the Sun, in dazzling strength appears, 
And with his glorious beams even desert Afric cheers. 

From mountains towering o'er the western deep, 
From frowning rocks where southern billows sweep, 
From oi'ient coasts by Indian breezes fann'd. 
The Gospel trumpet wakes thy slumbering land ; 
Ai-ound thy shores the herald angel bright. 
Dispensing blessings, wheels his glorious flight ; 
Life in his course, and health and verdure spring, 
Sweet Pleasure brightens in his beamy wing ; 
Rejoicing Nature on his voice attends, 
Man, wondering man, in strange emotion bends ; 
Unpractised in salvation's sounds, his ear 
Awaits Heaven's opening touch : that hand is near 
Which erst in Judah's climes the deaf restored, 
And living light on wandering blindness pour'd. 
That present Power, lo, Afric's sons confess, 
Hosannas cheer the desert wilderness ; 
Rude rocks and mountain caves the strains prolong, 
Frcwna clime to clime reverberant rolls the song ; 
Translucent tides convey its liquid notes, 
Mellifluous on the breeze of heaven it floats ; 
In lonely solitude the voice of prayer 
Ascends to Him who reigns in silence there ; 
And there, but newly taught from earth to rise, 
Devotion plumes her pinions for the skies. 

There are who love the sylvan scene, when high 
The bright moon rides in the ethereal sky. 



BOOK XII. Ml 

And o'ei heaven's dark blue vault, and o'er the green, 

(Earth's beauteous mantle,) casts her glittering sheen ; 

When not a cloud, presumptive, dares intrude, 

A vagrant on that splendid solitude ; 

Or zephyr, restless, raise his murmuring shell, 

To wake soft silence from her moonlight spell : 

There are who at that sweet, still hour invite 

Sublime companionship with spirits bright, 

Who list the breathing lute, who wait to see 

Forms loved and lost, in sainted minstrelsy 

Tuning awhile the notes of joaradise, 

A.nd soft and splendid as those moonlight skies. 

Inviting friends beloved to rise from earth, 

Aind pant for pleasures of celestial birth. 

There are to whom such soothing scenes present 
A.n image of heaven's stainless element ; 
(Vnd they will love, with angels hovering nigh, 
To listen even to earthly minstrelsy, 
To catch the voice of praise, the voice of prayer, 
Ascending soft upon the midnight air, 
^rom lips unused to raise the solemn hymn, 
Jnpractised in the strains of cherubim ; 
?'rom whom no breathing sigh was wont to rise, 
yVho knew no suppliant commerce with the skies j 
Ji'rom lonely huts in Afric's deserts wild, 
~rom mountain glens, whose towering bulwarks piled 
n frowning height o'erhang the vales below, 
Vnd, rude, their shadows o'er the moonbeams throv*? ^ 
^'rom coverts close amid the bushy brake, 
kVhere outcasts wild from nightly slumbers wake 
To meet the' Omniscient Eye, to seek the Power 
iVhose Name, unknown till that impressive hour, 
vTow fills their opening minds with strange concern^j 
)f life, of hope, of heaven, of Him to learn. 

Cold is that heart, unused to solemn mood, 
To impulse deep, who in that solitude 
/Vould not have stood with Heaven in audience high, 
teneath the veil of that far-stretching sky, 
Vhen there the angel herald stay'd his flight, 
Lnd, while in heaven high hung the orb of night, 
jike him who gather'd Israel's wanderers wide, 
Lnnounced his message from the mountain's side. 



342 Messiah's kingdom. 

Behind their chiefs barbarian tribes advance ; 
Dim, fitful, strange, their uncouth shadows glance 
Athwart the beams of that pale cresset bright, 
Which yields their patriarchal temple light. 
The stranger guest their gather'd ranks surround, 
Sedate, in thoughtful silence, wait the sound, . ^ 
The sound till then unheard, of mercy nigh, 
Of proffer'd peace, of purchased clemency. 
Yes, then the desert heard the prophet's voice ; 
He bade those sterile, rugged climes rejoice ; 
Proclaim'd the message of the Saviour's love, 
The Name that brought redemption from above ; 
Proclaim'd to dull, barbarian ears the grace 
That seeks and saves a lost, an alien race ; 
Proclaim'd, till bright the kindling ardour burn'd, 
Heaven shone on earth, and earth the beam return'd. 
Even savage breasts a sacred impulse fired, 
And faith, enraptured, from the scene retired. ^ ^ . 

The same in every age, in every clime. 
The Gospel's simple, saving truths, sublime. 
Speak to man's anxious heart ; they meet the cry 
Of burthen'd nature in captivity 
Thi'ough sin's o'erwhelming curse, the restless pain 
Of spirits struggling with corruption's chain ; 
They meet the loftiest moods of soaring thought, 
The deep debasement of dark spirits brought 
Within the verge of sense : not unapplied 
That Gospel fell on Afric's deserts wide ; 
Beneath its power her sable children bend 
In humble homage to the sinner's Friend, 
And, docile at the teacher's feet reclined, 
Attentive wait the path of life to find ; 
The path they seek the quickening Spirit shows. 
And holy light and heavenly grace bestow^, 
Owns and confirms the pure baptismal sign, . . 
Accepts as oflferings to the sacred shrine . ' 

The primal fruits that in his house appear, 
Prelusive of the ripening harvest near. 

Nor to the Church on earth received alone, 
In hallow'd hope, — to Heaven's eternal throne 
From death's dark shades, lo, alien strangers rise ; : 
To share a Father's mansion in the skies; 



BOOK xii, 343 

In tranquil peace tiom life's rude scenes depart, 
Meet unappali'd the di-eaded tyrant's dart; 
New born to brighter hopes, their quivering breath 
Proclaims salvation in the grasp of death ; 
Their filial faith on proffer'd grace relies^ 
Accepts the Heaven-appointed Sacrifice, 
Till, glad dismiss'd to rest with saints above, 
They share in paradise a Father's equal love= 

Thus beckoning hope invites to toil renew'dj 
Sweet blossoms scent the desert solitude. 
And cheerful voices from wild woodlands sing 
Tlie beauteous verdure of reviving spring ; 
While Faith and Charity accept the signj 
Co-workers with Beneficence Divine. 
Go, then, ye spirits of unearthly mould. 
Who dare to emulate those names of old, 
Emblazon'd in celestial registry, 
Who toil'd, and bled, and gloried even to die 
For Christ, and for the cause he left below ? 
Ye whose pure thoughts with warm expansions glow. 
Whose glistering eyes behold the martyr's crown, 
Content with Paul to lay, rejoicing, down 
A weary frame, consumed with toil and care, 
The Master's sacrificial griefs to share ; 
Like him in fix'd resolve an offering given, 
To serve till death, and grasp the palm in heaven. 
Go, ye who dare renounce a world of sense, 
Sublime aspirants to magnificence 
From vulgar minds conceal'd ,• go, grasp the prize ! 
Go, nerved for toil, for pain, for sacrifice ! 
Go, win the world to grace your Saviour's crown ! 
Go, love like Him, and tread the tempter down ! 

Go, for even yet, o'erhung with shades of night. 
An orb opaque, earth wheels her destined flight, 
Or moves, a meteor in a turbid sky, 
On whose broad piles dhn, lowering tempests lie, 
Though sunbeams, on its fleecy margin spread, 
Gild the rude mass, and cheering lustre shed. 
Go, arm'd with wisdom, virtue, patience, prayer^ 
The Saviour's cross, the Saviour's glory share j 
Forego the ties of friendship, country, home ; 
Go, wake by night, by day as strangers roaui j 

30 



344 Messiah's kingdom. 

Go, seek the sheep on desert mountains wide, 

The lorn, lost wanderers to the Shepherd guide ; 

Go, tempt the marshy plain, the misty air, 

The torrent's sweep, the f.tful lightning's glare. 

The fierce tornado in its furious course, 

The thunder's crash, the rude barbarian force 

Of lawless man, untrain'd to social arts, 

Fell Pestilence, and fiery Fever's darts : 

Go, nobly dare to brave the shafts of death ; 

Jehovah's hand shall keep thy fluttering breath, 

His power impetuous elements restrain, 

Arrest fierce fever in thy throbbing vein j 

Turn baleful plague, innocuous, from thy way. 

Barbarian wrath by secret impulse stay ; 

Bid guardian angels on thy steps attend. 

Thy peril'd path in danger's hour defend, 

Till, glad, — at length thy destined labours wrought, 

Thy course fulfill'd, the fight victorious fought. 

While soft the quivering, speechless lip commends 

The soul to Him who on his saints attends ; 

While angel wings amid the silence sweep. 

While seraphs smile, and sad survivors weep, — 

The' unprison'd spirit^ freed from earth, shall rise. 

And grasp the crown impending from the skies ; 

Receive the plaudit of approving Love, 

The joyous welcome to the rest above, 

To waii, in holy, tranquil triumph there, 

For those, the trophies of thy faith and prayer. 

For those thy dauntless spirit rush'd to save 

From sin's deep gulf, from death's o'erwhelming wave : 

To wait till each the blissful haven gain. 

When thou, blest leader of the rescued train, 

A glorious band with sacred joy shalt bring. 

And, meek presenting to thy Saviour King, 

Low at his feet shalt lay thy banners down, 

And from his hand receive an amaranthine crown^ 

Peace to the souls received to hallow'd rest ! 
Peace to the pilgrim on earth's quiet breast 
In tranquil slumbers laid ! whose weary feet, 
Unsandall'd now, no burning deserts meet. 
Peace to the prophet's grave ! For, lowly laid, 
He sleeps serene bisneath his palm tree's shade ; 



BOOK xn. 345 

In hope he sleeps, beside the sainted shrine 
His zeal erected to the Name Divine ; 
And oft, 'mid nature's sympathetic gloom, 
Shall holy tears bedew his silent tomb, 
And fervid lips shall bless his memory there, 
Who bent their footsteps to that house of prayer 
Whose lucid spire 'mid darkling woodlands seen. 
When morning glows, or evening sinks serene, 
Proclaims that there the gentle voice of Love 
Has breathed the whispers of the heavenly Dove ; 
That there the message of salvation, told, 
Has gather'd wanderers to the sheltering fold ; 
That there, reclaim'd from rude barbarian strife, 
Man owns the social sympathies of life ; 
That there, aroused to feel his heavenly birth, 
He courts a bliss beyond the bounds of earth • 
That there, redeem'd, the peace of heaven he shares, 
A Christian's name, a Christian's glory bears. 



TRIBUTARY STANZAS 
TO A FRIEND OF MISSIONS^ 

Prophetic Muse ! to scenes of death, 
Unwittingly thy numbers stray'd ; 

With angels watch'd the parting breath 
Of saints in hallow'd slumbers laid ; 

Stood by the Missionary's bier, 

And dropp'd on Afric's sands a tear. 

Ah ! homeward turn thy wandering feet, 
Thy native vales are fill'd with grief ; 

And many a sound thine ear shall meet, 
A sound of wailing, sudden, brief; 

Struck by Astonishment, whose strings 

Are waken'd by the tempest's wings. 

Death is a tempest, when it comes 
With rushing sweep upon the soul ; 



346 MiiSSIAtt's KINdbOM^ 

Chafed by dark rocks, the ocean foams ; 

By fierce winds lash'd, rude billows roll ; 
But more tumultuous, on the verge 
Of time, resounds death's swelling surge. 

pHiLANDfeR ! while the sun was high, 
Nor gathering clouds presaged hmi nearj 

That meteor form^ athwart the sky, 
A gliding phantom^ dark and drear, 

Rush'd on thy unsuspecting way, 

And smote thee with malignant ray. 

The stroke with sudden impulse cam? ; 

It found thee on the field of strife ; 
But thine was no ignoble aim, 

No selfish cares engross'd thy life ; 
To God, to man, that life was given ; 
'Twas toil on earth, 'tis rest in heaven. 

llest, rest in glory ! O'er thy bier 
Shall Faith and Hope submissive bow ; 

Sad Friendship drops the tender tear, 
With cypress wreathes her pensive broWj 

Pale, by her crumbling column leans, 

And turns to heaven for happier scenes. 

Hest in thy bliss ! For not in vain 
The wretched sought repose from thee : 

Thine ear received the plaintive strain, 
Wrung from the breast of Misery. 

Thy heart, thy hand extended wide. 

The balm to Sorrow's wounds applied. 

Rest with the saints whose race is run, 
Whose virtues track their flight to heaven. 

The goal is gain'd, the battle's won. 
To thee the palm, the crown be given, 

Which conquerors in that region wear, 

Where all is lasting, bright, and fair. 

Farewell, Philander ! never more 

Thine ear shall greet the Muse's strain^ 



BOOK xiic 347 

Till on that calm, that bhssful shore, 

Friends sever'd here shall meet again. 
Farewell ! The minstrel's plaintive tone 
Sighs to the winds, " My friends are gone !" 

Yes, those who loved her, those who praised 

The warblings of a simple lyre, 
To heaven's harmonious courts are raised, 

To meet them there, let her aspire ; 
In Sorrow's solitary gloom, 
Wait years of bliss beyond the tornb. 

Years! No ! Such sever'd shreds of time 
Pass not beyond earth's narrow bound ; 

Duration, measureless, sublime, 
Encircled in her ample round, 

Eternity's vast scroll shall show, — 

Years, days, and hours are left below. 

But should funereal sorrows blend 

With high and hallow'd themes like thine ? 

Forgive the Muse, she mourns a friend,, 
A patron of that cause divine, 

For which her warmest ardours glow, 

Which wakes her lyre to son^f^s below. 

Philander loved the Saviour's name, 

With ardent zeal his glory sought; 
Devotion's pure and fervid flame 

Refln'd the gross, the grovelling thought ; 
And while to heaven in prayer he turn'd, 
O'er earth his pitying kindness yearn'd. 

He cared for heathen tribes, and loved 
The Church, the kingdom of his Lord. 

By Charity's sweet impulse moved, 
To flow in copious streams abroad, 

His heart's diffusive kindness spread 

To all who hold the mystic Head. 

So on the pure, the silent lake 

Descends the impulse from on high j 
30* 



348 Messiah's kingdom. 

No rising winds its surface shake ; 

Yet swift in curling circles fly 
Jits waters to their utmost bound, 
And feed the freshening woodlands round. 

Farewell, Philander ! Even the page, 
To Heaven devote, may own thy nam^; 

Thee still shall hallow'd themes engage ; 
Thy sphere is changed, thy work the same j 

A minister of mercy still. 

If saints above such charge fulfil. 

Farewell ! Awhile thy friends on earth 
Pursue the path to each assigned ; 

Yet, waiting for their heavenly birth, 
Prepared their perfect bliss to find, 

They look to meet thee on that shore. 

Where life's inconstant scenes are o'er. 

Friendship in heaven resides alone, 

in all her symmetry of bliss : 
Here veil'd, and as a stranger known; 

Yet o'er the heart's best sympathies 
She holds her strong, her sweet control, 
And lays in lasting bonds the soul. 

Friends join'd above shall part no more, 
No sigh shall heave the swelling breast ; 

Unclouded light its radiance pour, 

While, pure, the spirit stands confess'd ; 

Nor darkling mists an entrance find, 

To grieve the heart, or veil the mind. 

A,ll, all in those sweet realms is love ! 

The nature and the bliss divine ! 
And saints on earth, and saints above, 

Shall soon in hallow'd union join. 
Within their Father's housf to raise 
One song of consentaneous praise. 

The shadows flee, tlie morning breaks, 
The long, dark night of death recedesj 



BOOK xUo 349 

Earth's reeling oi*b convulsive, shakes, 

The flame on heaven's bright concave feeds, 
Long, loud, and deep, the trumpet's sound 
Re-echoes through the heaving ground. 

'Tis past ! The dreamless sleep is o'er ! 

Lo, myriads to the call reply ! 
The earth, the sea, their dead restore, 

And Hades' house of mystery 
Sends forth its immaterial guests, 
To wait Jehovah's high behests. 

Jehovah speaks ! In living light, 

In glory like His own array'd, 
Than suns, than seraph flames, more bright, 

Upstarting from death's central shade, 
His resurrection's power to share. 
His servants meet him in the air, 

'Tis finish'd ! His mysterious plan 

Results in ecstasies of praise : 
The wisdom angels could not scan, 

The depth of his unmeasured ways, 
Are now to saints and seraphs shown, 
While wonder yields to love alone. 

Go, then, thy way 5 with patient mind 

Pursue the path prepared for thee ; 
There is a rest which thou shalt find 5 

There, in that bright eternity. 
The heart no guise of suffering wears, 
Nor Death from Life its laurel tears. 



There is a Sabbath for the world ; a rest 
In promise given, when burthen'd earth, oppressed 
No more beneath the withering curse shall sigh, 
But holy Peace, and heaven-born Charity, 
Man, renovated man, in concord bind ; 
When Truth's ethereal radiance o'er his mind 



350 Messiah's kingdom. 

Shall cast the splendours of unsullied light ; 
When, reimpress'd with Heaven's perfections bright 
Creation's lord and hierophant, again 
Earth's varied tribes shall bless his gentle reign, 
In union sweet, fierce, adverse natures blend, 
And guile, and hate, and rage, and discord, end. 

There is a rest, a promised rest, sublime, 
A Sabbath, even within the verge of time, 
For which the prayerful Church, expectant, sighs. 
Which Faith with more than eagle glance desci'ies. 
Which seraph Charity, with raptured glow. 
And holy Hope, anticipate below ; 
When, curb'd and clench'd the dire deceiver's chain, 
Messiah's might shall bind his ruthless reign 
To the dark prison of the central deep ; 
When angel warders their stern charge shall keep, 
Nor man's apostate tempter foe release, 
To violate his purity and peace, 
To blast his paradise by grace renew'd. 
Or, specious, on Jehovah's courts intrude. 

There is a rest, a holy Sabbath nigh. 
When, rich in consecrating energy. 
The Paraclete shall on his Church descend. 
The pure, baptismal, copious unction send, 
And soft effuse his plenitude of grace 
O'er wide-spread realms, where man's far-wandering race, 
Have roam'd in dark and desert solitude ; 
When elemental nature, wild and rude, 
Again, beneath the Spirit's dove-like wing. 
Shall see from chaos beauteous order spring ; 
When, fed by suns and showers, the fruitful field, 
Redundant, shall its waving harvests yield. 
Sweet Sharon's rose the woods and hills adorn, 
And blooming myrtles bright supplant the gi'ieving thorn. 

That rest shall come ! Lo, radiant Truth on high, 
With outstretch'd arm, the lamp of prophecy 
Hangs o'er a darken'd world. With gladdening beams 
Its holy light through time's long vista sti-eams, 
Tracks through the deep His wondrous course, who hides 
His path in tempests, on the whirlwind rides, 
Or moves sublime, amid the stars of light, 
On wheels of flame, or wings of seraphs bright ; 



BOOK XII. 351 

Yet still pursues his wisdoin's destined ends, 
And wind, storm, lightning, to his purpose bends. ■ 
That rest shall come ! By prophet bards descried* 
"When, like the sun's, His glory's flowing tide, 
Earth's utmost bounds shall bless. Messiah's seed. 
As morning dew drops on the sparkling mead, 
Innumei-ous, shall his sovereign pleasure wait, 
Obsequious princes thi'ong his temples' gate, 
To Him the gift, the rich oblation bring. 
Bask in his smile, repose beneath his wing; 
Him, Lord of this world's empires, glad confessj 
Great Prince of Peace, and King of Righteousness, 

That day shall dawn ! Its calm and hallow'd rest 
Shall emblem here the Sabbath of the bless'd. 
Though lingering clouds obstruct the glorious light ; 
Though wrathful foes withstand Messiah's might ; 
Though darkling Folly's earth-bred vapours rise 
In noxious exhalations to the skies ; 
Though shrouded, changeful, sad, appears till now 
The sorrowing Church ; though on her pensive brow 
Depression oft, and grief, dejected, lower, 
Bedimm'd, like moonbeams by the passing shower ;— ^ 
Not ever thus with light shall darkness blend, 
Faith views even now the mighty conflict end ; 
Hope spreads her brilliant wing, and soars above 
To meet that cloudless sky ; while generous Love 
Through earth's wide circuit still unwearied flies. 
And bids the dead awake, the sleeper rise, 
The trembling captive cast his bonds away, 
And spring to light, and bless the opening day. 
Yes, mild evangelists His way prepare, 
His living word Messiah's heralds bear, 
Through heathen lands the Gospel trumpet sounds, 
'Gainst Antichi-ist's unhallow'd throne rebounds, 
Dissolves dark Superstition's direful spell, 
Assails the atheist sophistry of hell, 
Lays Babel's towering turrets in the dust, 
And bids the poor in boundless mercy trust. 

Time speeds his flight ! The dawn of earliest day 
Has pass'd with patriarchal seers away ; 
Long, long withdrawn, no more the mystic sign 
Adumbrates, dim, the Archetype Divine ; 



352 Messiah's kingdom. 

The Covenant Angel, long in flesh reveal'd, 

His final grace by bloocl-stain'd rites has seal'd ; 

His Spirit, in its lai'ge effusions shed, 

His glorious Gospel through the nations spread ; 

His kingdom founded in the world below, 

Bade all mankind his truth, his mercy know ; 

His sovereign rule on heaven's high throne sustains, 

Supreme in mediatorial gloiy reigns. 

Defends his Church against the gates of hell, 

Fix'd on Himself secure, the Rock impregnable. 

Time's hours are ages ; yet his lengthened day 
Hastes toward its mighty close. A dazzling ray 
Of sevenfold splendour with intensest light 
Shall gild his evening firmament, and bright 
Enfold in glory earth's i-evolving sphere. 
Even now Messiah's promised signs appear. 
The world awaits his coming ; ceaseless sighs. 
The travail of creation, ardent rise ; 
Earth groans, o'erladen with its primal curse. 
Sad burthen of a struggling universe. 
Subject to Vanity, its fruitless toils 
Win but unreal bliss. Ambition's spoils. 
The robber Envy plunders ; Honour's name 
Oblivion razes from the scroll of Fame ; 
Blank Disappointment's vacant scowl betrays 
Gay Hope's dispersed allusions ; Grief o'erlays, 
With leathern wing, the sad and anxious heart ; 
Pain wounds the quivering flesh with poison'd dart ; 
Death, hideous Death, appals with brandish'd sting ; 
And loathed Corruption nestles in his wing. 

Intense, in earnest hope, with lifted eye, 
Yet waits the creature for deliverance nigh ; 
Expects the promised dawn of glad release, 
When Vanity's dull, vapid rule shall cease. 
Corruption with the curse from earth remove, 
And man and nature hail the reign of love ; 
When, bright, dispersing from his golden beams, 
Health, fragrance, beauty, in ten thousand streams, 
The Sun of Righteousness shall cloudless shine, 
And fill the universe with light Divine ; 
When earth's wide realms shall bless the' Eternal Nam 
One glorious Lord, Jehovah, One, proclaim, 



BOOK xn. 363 

To one Messiah all her ofierings bring, 

And bow the suppliant knee to one immortal King. 

Awaits the world his coming? Instant prayer, 
Deep breathing sighs, and labouring thoughts, declare 
The Church, his bride, expectant of her Lord. 
Long in this weary wilderness, His word, 
That speaks of happier scenes, hath been her stay ; 
And urging oft her rude and cheerless way 
Through many a thorny brake, her tearful eyes 
Have turn'd in holy transport to the skies, 
And realized, by faith's transpiercing power,. 
The bliss of that anticipated hour, 
When, glorious, seated on his conquering throne, 
Messiah's sway a subject world shall own, 
And, raised from earth, his consecrated bride, 
His Church, appear i-esplendent by his side. 
The Spirit with the bride awaits the hour 
Of holier, mightier triumph : strong in power 
Of wrestling faith, He breathes the ceaseless cry ; 
And, prevalent in heavenly energy, 
Fill'd with his life, the saints accepted pray, — 

Messiah, o'er the world thy sceptre sway ! 
Collect thy holy ones from every clime ; 
Reveal thy glory on the verge of time ; 
Then, then the hour of final triumph bring- 
In pomp return ! Descend, immortal King ! 
The withering earth and flaming heavens shall flee 
The dazzling presence of thy Majesty, 
When, circled with seraphic hosts, thy throne, 
Rear'd in eternity, shall lift alone 
Its stainless splendours to the sons of light -, 
When eonquer'd Death, stern trophy of thy might, 
And Hades, stricken by thy glance of ire, 
Shall plunge imjpetuous down to gulfs of fire." 

Yes, heightening still to its stupendous close, 
The mighty mystery of salvation flows ! 
That hour to finite natures unreveal'd, 
Shall show the' adopted heirs of glory seaPd, 
The sons of God from death's dark bonds set fi ee^ 
Sublime in sinless immortality, 
nejPrepared the triumph of their Lord to share, 
Prepared his glory's blissful weight to bear, 



364 Messiah's kingdom. 

To mount with Hjin his everlasting throne, 
Avouch'd before assembled worlds his own. 

'Tis done ! the stern, strange conflict ends at last ! 
The curse is fled ! the scene of trial past ! 
The children of the resurrection shine, 
Corruptible no more ! The form Divine 
Evolves in glorious, ever-brightening grace 
On every spirit stamp'd, from every face 
Out-beaming splendours, His reflections, flow. 

In vain ! No mortal muse that light may show I 
No energy to earthly bards consign'd 
Paint the pure raptures of the deathless mind, 
Pursue the' expanding thought that soars and springs, 
Outstrips the semblance of terrestrial things, 
Collects its elements from scenes sublime, 
Veil'd ever from the darkling sons of time, 
Contemplates Deity unchain'd by sense. 
And unobstructed scans Omnipotence ! 
No ! all ineffable, that bliss supreme, 
Even angel harps o'er that stupendous theme 
Suspended vibrate with unequal tone ; 
Heaven's holy minstrels throng the' eternal throne^ 
And wait the finish'd mystery, to raise 
Their perfect anthem of perpetual praise j 
To lift their triumph to its loftiest heightj 
With saints, symphonious, in that world of lights 
To sing the bliss of spirits saved below. 
The depth of streams that from His fulness flow, 
The broad expanse of that unfathom'd sea, 
The joy of deathless souls, emplunged in Deity. 

No ! not the mind's magnificence, nor might 
Of its pure vehicle, its shrine of light, 
Nor bliss nor dignity of re-form'd man, 
May mortal eyes, yet seal'd, presume to scan. 
Still unapparent, but to Him alone, 
And Faith, to whom he makes his secrets known^ 
Remains that symmetry of grace Divine, 
In which his saints, to him conform'd, shall shine ; 
Those full, deep springs, untasted here below, 
Whence richest draughts of raptured pleasure flow ; 
Those sights of glory, when the lifted veil 
Unfolds Divinity ; when faith shall fail 



BOOK xii. 355 

In the full blaze of vision 5 hope, replete 

In ecstasy of consummation, meet 

A tide of untold joy ; and hallow'd love, 

Complacent in its glorious Object, prove 

Its pure beatitude of deep delight, 

In ripening friendship with the Infinite. 

Then, then shall swell the heaving tide of bliss ! 
Then, then shall roll, in murmuring ecstasies, 
The song unlearn'd below ! One glorious voice, 
The chorus of creation, sound, "Rejoice!*' 
One rushing hailelujah loud proclaim 
The mighty triumphs of Emmanuel's Name, 
Extol the Omnipotent, whose rule sublime, 
Beyond earth's sphere dissolved, and perish'd time, 
Extends eiernal through the ample range 
Of boundless being; whom nor death nor change 
Shall ever more invade. Then, then the cry 
Of those who share the spoils of victory. 
The shout of those who to the garner bring 
rhe harvest's golden sheaves, shall joyous ring- 
Through heaven's eternal hills in loftier lays 
Than seraphs swell'd their primal songs of praise; 
The universe Messiah's reign shall greet, 
And hail the Saviour Son on his triumphant seat. 

Yes, then consummated, the scheme Divine, 
The mystery of stupendous grace shall shine 
Full orb'd in glorious light. His judgment throne 
To all heaven's listening hierarchies make known 
Eiis providential rule,— how kind, how wise. 
Then, all unveil'd from earth's obscurities, 
His saints shall track his wondrous comse sublime 
Through the deep waters of tempestuous time, 
Adoring own the matchless might that gave 
Concentring impulse to each restless wave, 
Bade every boisterous billow sink or swell 
To urge his triumphs or his foes repel. 
Then throned powers, and every lofty name 
Blazon'd in earthly or unearthly fame, 
To Him, their Head, in mystic union bound, 
Shall hail Messiah in his glory crown'd ; 
Shall hail him in his ransom'd Church complete, 
Behold his vanquish'd foes beneath his feet, 

31 



356 Messiah's kingdom. 

Behold fulfill'd his purposes of love, 
His everlasting kingdom fix'd above ; 
Him, Alpha and Omega, glad confess, 
Extol the unsetting Sun of Righteousness, 
Bask in his beams through one eternal day, 
Imbibe new splendours from each darting ray, 
His wondrous Name with deepening search explore, 
With deepening awe that wondrous Name adore, 
And own eternity's transcendent light 
Too dim to pierce the vale that shrouds the Infinite^ 
As he,t adventurous, who with bounding breast 
Look'd forth from proud Columbia's mountain crest, 
And view'd beneath in broad, majestic sweep. 
The heaving, hoarse, illimitable deep, 
A new-found world of waters, glorious, spread 
O'er half creation's adamantine bed ; 
Whose eagle eye the wondrous scene explored, 
While his rapt spirit glad and grateful pour'd 
Its orisons to Heaven ; to whom there came, 
Kindled on high, a pure and patriot flame, 
That swell'd and glow'd within his panting breast, 
Till, eager, down the rough rock's side he press'd, 
Plunged in the deep, and claim'd what Heaven had shower 
And felt that world of waters all his own : 
So Faith from Contemplation's height surveys 
The boundless glories of advancing days ; 
Sees in sublime expanse, unfathom'd, bright, 
An ocean of interminable light ; 
With raptured awe adores that Power Divine, 
Beneath whose far-spread beams its splendours shine. 
Whose kindly hand from filmy clouds of sense 
Unseals her eyes, and Time's circumference 

t "In his perilous march across the isthmus which separated thiu 
Atlantic from the Pacific, Balboa was informed by his Indian guide* 
that from the top of the next mountain he might discover the greaa 
Southern Sea, which was the object of his search. He advances 
alone to its summit; and, beholding the vast ocean stretched out in 
end ess prospect before him, he fell on his knees, and, lifting up hisi: 
hands to heaven, returned thanks to God for having conducted hinn 
to so important a discovery. Then hastening toward the object hd 
had so laboriously sought, and, reaching its margin, he plunged vyn 
to his middle in its waves, with his sword and buckler, and tool* 
possession of it in the name of his sovereign, Ferdinand of Spain."- 
Eobcrtson^s History of Jivicrica. 



BOOK XII. 357 

Expands in outline to her gifted sight, 
Withdraws from mystic glories infinite 
The impenetrable veil. 

She worships there ! 
Breathes untold ecstasies of praise and prayer ! 
Yet lingers not ; but as that veteran, brave, 
Who fearless stemm'd the stern Pacific wave, 
intrepid marches toward that shoreless sea, 
Exulting hails its vast immensity, 
And, panoplied in heaven- wrought arms of light, 
Claims that wide ocean in Messiah's right. 

Hope weighs her anchor for those stormless seas, 
Spreads her broad pennon to the favouring breeze. 
Ploughs the blue deep, the bursting brightness hails, 
And fills with breath of heaven her swelling sails. 
Love, sphered in sunbeams, cleaves the azure sky, 
[n vain beneath time's darkling shadows lie ; 
With seraph wing he sweeps its mists aside, 
Careers uncheck'd through light's translucent tide ; 
Uncheck'd, untired, till, o'er that tranquil deep 
Where winds are hush'd, and angry tempests sleep, 
His buoyant plumes he spreads with glad delight. 
And hails the ark upon those waters bright, 
Triumphant vaulting o'er the glassy tide. 
To widening seas of bliss from Godhead's depths supplied. 



EARTH AND TIME 

THE THEATRE FOR THE DISPLAY OF THE DIVINE 
PERFECTIONS. 

j'Tis well ! Thy silent yet continuous flight 

Toward duration infinite 

Thou still pursuest, O Time ! 
With solemn and majestic march sublime, 

Through realms of empyreal space. 
Their wheeling course where stars and comets trace, 
jAnd sphered spirits hold harmonious chime, 
Thy registering heraldry hath pass'd. 



358 Messiah's kingdom. 

Spring's mantle thou hast cast 
O'er the green earth ; and bound 
With summer's rosy wreath her brow. 
Thy suns and moons in ceaseless round 
Have watch'd her waving harvests grow. 
Her vintage bright em.purpled gloAv ; 
Stern Winter's wide domain of snow 
Has felt thy arrowy currents blow. 

Thine is a strangely changeful clime ! 
Thy works are strange, 
Thy nature, change ! 
Go, then, go on thy way, still strangely changing Time, 

There was a period, far, O far behind, 

When neither time nor change existence knew : 
He only lived, the Everlasting JMind, 

Who from himself essential being drew, 
All-perfect, infinite, alone. 

Ere suns, or stars, or heavens appear'd, 
Immovable, his radiant throne 
Stood in eternity ensphered. 
No cherub at his footstool bow'd, 
Whose worship rose like incense cloud ; 
No throned spirits, ranged on high, 
Pour'd wide celestial minstrelsy ; 
Nor heavenly harps with golden wires, 
Nor solemn, sweet, mellifluous lyres. 
Their tones of holy rapture spread 
Through sapphire domes, where rainbows shed 
Their meek, chaste Hght 
Encircling bright 
The Godhead in his dark pavilion dread. 
No ! In that vast, unmeasured depth profound, 
Where finite thoughts are drown'd, 
The Triune Glory singly dwelt, 
Eternity his presence felt. 
And bliss and beauty in himself he found, 
Himself of beauty, bliss, the Source, the Soul, 
Sublime, stupendous, vast, He was the mighty whole i 

Why, then, did He, to whom the praise 
Ascending in archangel's hymn. 



BOOK Xiio 359^ 

imported not ; whose glory's blaze 

No light received from seraphim ;— 
Why did he call his wisdom forth, 
And mete the heavens, and mould the earth ? 
Why breathe his own immortal fires 
Through radiant ranks of angel choirs ? 
Or kindle bi'ight the intellectual ray 
In paradise ? 
Whose cloudless skies 
Beheld an earthly shrine celestial lights display. 

Strike, strike the harp, the lyre, the swelling lute ! 
Wake every voice ! Nor shell, nor string be mute ! 
'Twas love, diffusive, rich, redundant love 
That bade the' eternal forming Spii'it move ; 

Divinest strains. 

On heaven's bright plains, 
To wake from myriad raptured hosts above | 

That from the gloom 

Of Night's dark womb. 
Where anarchy, confusion, restless strove, 
Call'd forth this world, in beauty fair, 
Peopled the waters, earth, and air, 
And bade all live in Him, and all his blessing prove. 

Then, Time, thy wondrous course began j 
'Twas then thy brief, appointed span, 

Dissever'd from eternity. 
Commenced those mysteries to unfold, 
Whose secret depths shall lie untold, 
When thou resorb'd into the sea, 
Duration's ebbless tide, shalt be ! 
Ah ! v/hat presumptuous child of dust shall dare, 
What vision-favour'd prophet bold declare 
The counsels of the' omniscient Throne? 
Ah ! who, adventurous, shall make known 
The purpose of the sacred Three ? 
Who would not lowly fall, and own - 
The depths of His immensity, 
Whose providence 
Eludes the sense 
31 + 



360 Messiah's kingdom. 

Of every keen and curious eye ? 
Nor mortal men. 
Nor angels' ken, 
Shall pierce that covering cloud which veils the Deity, 

To man or angel ere his forming hand 

Gave bliss or being, all his works He knew, 
Time, nature, thought, his eye, all searching, scann'd, 
Ere thought or mind from him existence drew. 
He form'd the good, allow'd the ill. 
And bade them both his word fulfil ; 
From deepest darkness call'd forth light. 
By power stupendous, infinite. 
Confounded stratagem and strife. 
And fehow'd through death the path of life. 
O height sublime, v/hence flow'd those counsels forth ? 

O depth unfathom'd of exhaustless love ! 
Be glad, O heavens ! Sing, O astonish'd earth ! 

For truth, and righteousness, and mercy meet above- 
Time ! on this theatre of thine. 

This little, low, terrestrial sphere, 
Appear'd a mystery Divine ! 

O, of that mystery who shall hear 
Unmoved, una wed, by deepest, holiest fear? 
Who, when thy scroll shall wave unfurl'd, 
In that broad light which waits the woild, 
Shall unsubdued by praise, by love appear? 
Who will not own the work accomplishM here^ 
A mystery unparallel'd. 
Such as creation ne'er j^eheld, 
Nor shall again astonish'd see, 
Through all the' unmeasured rounds of wide eternity ^ 

From that high throne of everlasting state, 

Where sat in glory uncreate, 
The Triune Deity, 

He humbly stoop'd, who claim'd to be, 

In coessential Majesty, 
Equal to Him, the only Potentate. 

Forth from that unapproached light, 

For man or angel's orb too bright^ 



BOOK XII. 361 

Porth from the Father's bosom came 
His Word, his Wisdom, He whose name 

is Jah, Jehovah, infinite I AM ; 

Who form'd the stars that gem his throne, 
Whom princes, powers, dominions, own ; 

Creator, Ruler, Sovereign, Lord ; 

Theme of heaven's highest, deepest chord, 

Who waked the universe to Hfe, the earth 
In beauty clad. 
While angels glad 

Hymn'd forth his praise. His praise whose goings forth 

From everlasting were, ere yet his works had birth. 

He (O stupendous grace !) appear'd, 

A lowly stranger here below ; 
And yet the gloom his glory cheer'd 
Refused the living Light to know. 
Incarnate, through the fleshly shrine 

Full oft the eternal Effluence broke ; 
The gracious word, the work benign, 
The present Deity bespoke. 
The meek, the merciful, the mighty One, 

A suffering path majestically trod. 
Lived, agonized, expired ! Yes! Hark! "Tisdone!" 
Beneath that groan, lo, reeling mountains nod ! 
Creation heaves in pangs, with nature's suffer! ngGod ! 

O wondrous sacrifice ! 

For man his Maker dies I 
Christ, thy arm omnipotent 

Grasp'd a falling universe ! 
Earth and heaven, with one consent, 

Thy eternal praise rehearse. 
Hell through all her vast profound. 

Central depth of grief and gloom, 
Feels her flaming spirits bound, 

Conquer'd in the Conqueror's tomb. 

Earth, on this transitory realm of thine, 
Wiihin time's fleeting span this work was wrought | 

Atonement, fruit of Sacrifice Divine, 

Peace, pardon, heaven, for mortal frailty bought ! 

The dead to life restored, the lost to glory brought ! 



362 Messiah's kingdom. 

What, though the space allotted thee 

Be as the shade of evening brief? 
Yet shall this mighty history- 
Enrol thy annals with the chief 
Of all His ways whose will controls the deep, 

The shoreless ocean of eternity ; 
Whose vast waves pour their everlasting sweep 

Back to himself,"^ interminable Sea, 
Whence all proceeds that is, or evermore shall be ? 

Time ! 'tis thy glory, that, though short thy spaOj 

Thou hast to the wide universe display'd 
More than, ere yet thy little round began. 
Was known of Him who time and nature made 5 
Him, the Creator, in his might, 
His wisdom, matchless, infinite. 
Thy earliest hours disclose ; 
Him, the Preserver, on whose hand 
The fabric rests, at whose command 
Thy wheeling orbs or roll or stand, 
Thy swift succession shows. 

And who, O who shall trace 
His wondrous works and ways ? 
What eye, acute, intense, 
Shall scan his providence ? 
Borne on thy restless swell 
The nations rose and fell ! 
But not the murmur of the multitude, 

In the full, beating, busy tide of life ; 
Nor the deep silence of the desert rude, 

Where rest the mouldering wrecks of human strife ; 
Not one of all the changes that have pass'd 

On earth's collected, on her single sons, 
But have been mark'd by Him whose glance is cast 
Where'er heaven's hght its glorious circuit runs. 
And soon eternity shall tell 
How kingdoms rose and kingdoms fell, 

Obedient to his word ; 
Tell how men's froward ways have been 
In all their hues of darkness seen 
By Him, omniscient Lord ; 



BOOK xiic 363 

Tell how he heard the humble suppliant's prayer ; 

Tell how he bade the harsh oppressor spare ; 

Tell how he crush'd the proud, and made the meek his^are, 

Ineffable, unsearchable, immense, 
Mysterious Providence, 
With strong, unerring hand, 
Still leads the rushing course of ages on. 
The Spirit, One and Seven, before the throne 
Lives in the burning, rolling wheels that stand, 
Or at his word advance. In deep suspense 

All heaven looks down, through all her states^ 

And every bright intelligence 

The mighty consummation waits. 

Time ! though the radiant glory of those fires 

Which mark thy measured course 
Has waked the harmony of angel lyres 
To hymn creation's Source ; 
Though the green earth, by Him suspended 

In bright, ethereal fields of space, 
Proclaims his providence extended, 
: His bounteous, kind, paternal grace, 

I ^ What though successive generations, 

Borne on thy torrent's mighty sweep, 
Have shown his judgments to the nations, 
A fathomless, a boundless deep ! 
Yet 'tis thy richest, thy transcendent glory, 
That in the circles of thy sphered flight, 
The universe, amazed, has heard the story. 
Seen, all incomprehensible, the sight 
Of God enshrined below, 
On man's dark world of wo, 
A willing Exile from the plains of light, 
To bear his captives back to glory infinite ! 

Yes, Time ! to thee the wondrous theme belongs, 

That shall exalt seraphic songs. 
The heavenly hierarchy. 

With hallow'd admiration see 
The glory of the ransom'd Church ; their tongues, 
Their lyres, respond to loftier notes of praise ; 



364 Messiah's kingdom. 

And love, redeeming love, shall raise 
Devotion's raptured ecstasies 
To their sublimest, sweetest key, 
While saints or seraphs live, or rolls eternity. 

Go, then, swift traveller ! nor stay 
Thy silent, yet continuous flight. 
Spread thy broad pinions ! haste away 
Toward duration infinite! 
Fulfil thy round of years ! 
Let human hopes and fears 
Depress or gild thee with illusions bright. 
Soon, — as the shadowy visions of the night 
Before the bursting beams of morning flee, — 
This earth, these heavens, shall vanish from the sight ! 
But God, the Eternal One, the Almighty Three, 
Shall live, shall reign in immortality ! 
While, on his everlasting throne. 
Lord of the ransom'd world alone, 
Him, glorious Prince of Peace, 
Great King of Righteousness, 
Messiah, ever bless'd, shall all creation own. 



THE END. 



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